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Larrazabal Shares Four-Way Lead
Kaymer Misses Cut on European Return
Larrazabal Shares Four-Way Lead
COLOGNE, June 27, 2014 (AFP) - Larrazabal didn't drop a shot in perfect scoring conditions and capped his round with five birdies in succession from his fourth hole on the Gut Larcenhof course near Cologne.
The 31-year old Barcelona golfer, who defeated fellow Spaniard Sergio Garcia in 2011 in Munich, joined England's Danny Willett and Spain's Rafa Cabrera-Bello, each with four-under par 68s, atop of the board at 12-under par.
The trio were then joined by 21-year old Argentinian Emiliano Grillo who signed off for a six under par 66.
"There is a no more trouble on this course than where I won in Munich," said Larrazabal.
"But with all the guys out there shooting low you just have to keep going and make as many birdies as you can.
"So it's all about continuing to play well and holing the birdie putts.
"I also can't think about winning this event again and my focus is that there is 36 holes to play and 36 birdies to be made."
The current world number 61, Larrazbal broke through for a maiden Tour title in capturing the 2008 French Open after having to go through a 36-hole qualifier on the Monday prior to the start of the event.
Larrazabal celebrated his win being dosed in champagne and then jumping into the water guarding the 18th green where the 2018 Ryder Cup will be staged.
Miguel Angel Jimenez, winner also in Munich a decade ago, continued to boost claims for Ryder Cup selection with a second straight score of 67 to move to a clubhouse share of fifth place on 10-under par.
The 50-year old Spaniard is just three spots outside of automatically qualifying for a fifth European Team cap.
And a third former BMW International Open winner in American John Daly, who won the event in 2001, shot a five under par 67 to move inside the top-20 at seven under par.
"It was a solid round of golf and I am very pleased but then the golf course is in great shape but what killed me was the par fives, as I only played them in two under par over the two days," said Daly.
"But I am enjoying my golf and it's great also to be back playing in Europe, and what was also amazing was how people were out so early following our group."
Daly revealed he also will be contesting next month's Scottish Open as well as the following week's (British) Open Championship at Royal Liverpool where Tiger Woods in 2006 captured his 11th of his 14th Major titles.
And as winner of the 1995 (British) Open Championship, Daly is delighted Woods seems now likely to tee-up in the year's traditional third Major.
"It's clear Tiger's been missed and we've seen the reaction already after one round what his return has done for the PGA Tour at Congressional," said Daly.
"Where ever Tiger is playing is just moves the needle right up there in terms of spectator numbers and TV interest, so it will be great for The Open to seeing him teeing-up at Royal Liverpool."
Kaymer Misses Cut on European Return
COLOGNE, June 27, 2014 (AFP) - Recently crowned US Open champion Martin Kaymer spoilt a victorious return home and also ended a near two-year successful Tour run as he missed the cut in the BMW International Open on Friday near Cologne.
Kaymer recorded rounds of 71 and 73 for a shock even par tally and four shots shy of the halfway cut,in his first event since a convincing eight-shot success at Pinehurst.
The German, who grew-up in nearby Dusseldorf, left near record crowds deflated he walked from the Gut Larcenhof course 12 shots from the leading foursome of England's Danny Willett (68), Argentina's Emiliano Grillo (66) and the Spanish duo of Pablo Larrazabal (63) and Rafa Cabrera-Bello (68) who share a two shot lead on 12-under par.
It is the first occasion since the Portugal Masters in October 2012 and a run of 28 Tour events Kaymer has missed the halfway cut in a European Tour stroke play event.
Kaymer's second round was a mix of four birdies, and three bogeys in succession from the 10th hole and after taking 31 putts on day one, he had 35 putts on day two.
"It was a very difficult two days where I just struggled on the golf course and this week has been a big step for me to accept that there is golf courses that don't suit your play, that don't suit your eye," he said.
"I also struggled a lot on the greens but that is okay for me as I tried my very best.
"I know the fans are very disappointed because their expectations are high but then mine were not very high as I like golf courses where I have to scramble and where one or two under par each day is a good score.
"So while this golf course is not my favourite I still came here and tried my hardest.
"And even though some people might draw negatives out of this week I am happy with my game as I have two very big tournaments in recent weeks so I am not going to dwell on negatives.
"You have to just appreciate in golf you lose more than you win".
Larrazabal posted the equal lowest round of the day joining England's Paul Waring in shooting a nine under par 63 as the Spaniard looks to become the first player to win the event in both Munich and Cologne.
"There is a no more trouble on this course than where I won in Munich," said Larrazabal.
"But with all the guys out there shooting low you just have to keep going and make as many birdies as you can.
"So it's all about continuing to play well and holing the birdie putts.
"I also can't think about winning this event again and my focus is that there is 36 holes to play and 36 birdies to be made."
There had been an 87-minute delay late in the afternoon due to an electrical storm and with four players electing not to return, and under new European Tour rules, they were disqualified.
Leading second round scores at the European Tour's BMW International Open at the par-72 Gut-Larcenhof course, Cologne, on Friday:
132 - Emiliano Grillo (ARG) 66-66, Danny Willett (ENG) 64-68, Rafael Cabrera Bello (ESP) 64-68, Pablo Larrazabal (ESP) 69-63
134 - Craig Lee (SCO) 69-65, Robert Karlsson (SWE) 68-66, Miguel Angel Jimenez (ESP) 67-67, Branden Grace (RSA) 67-67, Andreas Harto (DEN) 68-66, Alex Cejka (GER) 68-66
135 - Andy Sullivan (ENG) 66-69, Romain Wattel (FRA) 67-68, Shane Lowry (IRL) 67-68, Paul Waring (ENG) 72-63, Gary Stal (FRA) 66-69, Nacho Elvira (ESP) 67-68, Simon Dyson (ENG) 69-66, Michael Hoey (NIR) 66-69
136 - Carlos Del Moral (ESP) 68-68, Matthew Nixon (ENG) 69-67, Marcel Siem (GER) 70-66, Jens Dantorp (SWE) 68-68, Tyrrell Hatton (ENG)69-67, Sam Walker (ENG) 67-69, Thomas Bjorn (DEN) 70-66, Eddie Pepperell (ENG) 72-64, Henrik Stenson (SWE) 68-68, Gregory Havret (FRA) 71-65
137 Francesco Molinari (ITA) 71-66, Thongchai Jaidee (THA) 71-66, John Daly (USA) 70-67, Jbe Kruger (RSA) 72 65, Sergio Garcia (ESP) 71-66, Gaganjeet Bhullar (IND) 67 70, Alejandro Canizares (ESP) 70-67, Alexander Levy (FRA) 70-67