Mandela-inspired Jbe leads by a shot in HK
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E-mail Shanghai Daily, December 7, 2013
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Jbe Kruger of South Africa, wearing black ribbons in memory of the late anti-apartheid hero Nelson Mandela, acknowledges spectators on the 18th green after finishing his second round at the Hong Kong Open yesterday. |
South African Jbe Kruger paid tribute to Nelson Mandela after storming to a one-shot lead as the Hong Kong Open reached the halfway stage yesterday.
"Our country has lost a real-life hero and wearing this (black ribbon) is a real honor for me," said an emotional Kruger, who wore black ribbons on his chest and arm while carding a second-round 66 on the par-70 Hong Kong Golf Course.
"I don't think our country will ever have another leader like Mandela. He has been sick and in hospital for a long time yet it was sad when I heard this morning of his passing away. Unfortunately I never met him but I know his death will affect everyone, white and black, in my country."
Kruger made seven birdies against three bogeys to tally a 7-under-par 133 and pinch the outright lead.
"God took care of that," he said. "I probably swung it the best I have in a long time and when the putts started to drop like that you have to know it's in God's hands."
He finished one shot in front of Stuart Manley of Wales, who added a second consecutive round of 67. Manley let slip the chance to tie for the lead when he bogeyed his final hole.
"It wasn't the finish I wanted. But it's OK, I'm still in the mix," said Manley, who holed six birdies but three bogeys.
Two shots adrift of Kruger in joint-third were Germany's Alex Cejka (67), Indian Shiv Kapur (66) and Australian Wade Ormsby (68), all on 5 under.
Defending champion Miguel Angel Jimenez began the second round ominously with a flurry of birdies but lost momentum to finish with a 67 to total 3 under.
"It is OK. Of course, I would have liked to be closer (to the leader) but there is still a lot to play for," said the Spaniard, who is seeking his fourth title in Hong Kong.
Chinese teenager Guan Tianlang, who made the cut at the US Masters in April, failed to make it through to the weekend after a 75 left him on 6 over, five shots below the cut line.
"I hit some good shots these two rounds. It's been a good opportunity and experience to play with some high-level players which really helps me," he said.
In Sun City, South Africa, two-time winner Sergio Garcia shot a 6-under 66 to grab a one-stroke lead after the completion of the weather-delayed first round at the Nedbank Golf Challenge yesterday.
Denmark's Thomas Bjorn, Welshman Jamie Donaldson and Gonzalo Fdez-Castano of Spain carded 67 apiece as the elite 30-man field completed Thursday's curtailed round and immediately set off on the second round.
Play was stopped at the Gary Player Country Club on Thursday because of lightning threats that necessitated a 7:30am local time restart yesterday.
It was preceded by a moment's silence and Ernie Els' tribute to Mandela.
Former world No. 1 Luke Donald, who had a two-stroke lead after 11 holes when play was suspended on Thursday, completed his round in 68, along with home favorite Charl Schwartzel.
"It was difficult to get refocused after the breaks on Thursday," said Schwartzel at the completion of his round.
Els, who feared yesterday's play would prove difficult for him following Mandela's death, finished 3-over in the first round.
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