Surprise packet Kevin Stadler and pre-tournament favourite Phil Mickelson flew the Stars and Stripes in China as the American duo emerged as the main men at the halfway stage of the HSBC Champions.
Stadler, the 27 year old son of 1982 Masters Tournament winner Craig, carded a steady second round 69 at Sheshan International Golf Club in Shanghai to add to his sparkling opening 64 for an 11 under par total of 133 and a one shot lead over World Number Two Mickelson, who tacked a 66 onto his opening 68 for a ten under par total of 134.
“I didn’t really have anything in mind this week in terms of a finishing position but this has been really great so far,” said Stadler. “I’m not really nervous or anything like that, I’m just enjoying my time here.
“I’m not really a very nervous person in general, I just like to think I’m laid back and just kind of go along with it. I’m sure if this position holds up I’ll get a little jittery over the weekend but as of right now, I feel great.”
Certainly his play over the second round suggested that young Stadler was calm and collected. One under par through a solid 15 holes, his challenge ignited with a spectacular ending to his round which featured an eagle two at the 288 yard 16th hole – where he pitched in from 20 feet – and a birdie four at the 18th.
His finish was mirrored by the man one shot behind him, Mickelson birdieing four of the last five holes to be home in 32 in his 66.
“It was a good day today,” said the left-hander. “It started off very windy but towards the end though it seemed to calm down a little bit and it was nice to finish with a couple of birdies. I made a few putts coming in and that feels good heading into the weekend.
“I’m certainly excited about playing the weekend because I have put together two good rounds. I like the golf course a lot and the greens are putting beautifully. If you read them well, you are going to make a lot of putts.”
Mickelson will partner his fellow countryman tomorrow and admitted it would not be for the first time.
“I’ve played with Kevin’s dad in the past but I’ve also played with Kevin before too. Actually my brother is a golf coach and he coached some tournaments that Kevin played in which I came out to and so I happened to see him play as an amateur.
“So it is neat for me to see him develop. He played great last week to keep his card on the PGA Tour and now he is playing with the weight off his shoulders and he’s going to be very tough to beat this weekend.”
Completing the final three ball with the two Americans will be England’s Ross Fisher, who carded his second consecutive 68 for an eight under par total of 136 and a share of third place with Asian based Scot Simon Yates who posted a second round 66.
Playing with the greats of the game will be nothing new for the Wentworth-based Englishman who partnered Tiger Woods and Ernie Els on consecutive days over the weekend of the Dubai Desert Classic in February on his way to fifth place.
Having gained confidence from that experience, his all round belief grew even further in August when he won his maiden European Tour title at The KLM Open in The Netherlands and the Englishman admitted he was looking forward to the challenge.
“I think whereas before I would turn up to each week trying to win, now after having won, you turn up knowing you can do it,” he said. “So now I turn up wanting to win and believing that I can. Obviously your first win is a massive stepping stone and I just want to get back into the winner’s circle as soon as possible.”
One shot behind in a share of fifth place on seven under par 137 are South Africa’s Andrew McLardy, who carded a 69 to go with his opening 68, alongside three time Major winner Vijay Singh of Fiji, who battled to a second round 70.
Singh, who opened with a 67, recovered well with a back nine of 32 – which almost included a holed pitch shot at the last – after stumbling to the turn in 38.
“I actually played okay on the front nine but I made a stupid bogey on the third and I think 90 per cent of the field would have got up and down at the ninth for par but I didn’t,” he said. “But on the back nine I had a lot of chances and I was happy to finish seven under. It wasn’t easy out there because it was pretty breezy.”
For the first time in the three year history of the HSBC Champions, the tournament features a halfway cut this year with the initial field having grown to 89 players. As dusk fell, the cut fell at five over par 149 with 67 players remaining to contest the final two rounds over the weekend.
