Sweden’s Joel Sjoholm showed he’s more than just a flashy dresser by chipping in twice for eagle and snatch a two stroke lead at the halfway mark of the BMW International Open in Cologne.
The 26-year old Sjoholm is competing in his 57th Tour event after graduating to the main Tour last year off the secondary Challenge Tour in 2010.
Sjoholm has already made a big hit among fans with his colourful ‘Plus Fours’ attire and now after two top-10s this season the Gothenburg golfer is looking to do the same with his clubs.
Sweden's Joel Sjoholm showing he's more than just a flashy dresser. (Photo - Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)
“I chipped in for eagle at my seventh hole and then my 12th and both for eagle which is always great in any round of golf,” he said.
“This is the first time as a pro I’ve been in the lead, and I’m just enjoying it so much. It’s a great feeling to be leading and in a great tournament.
“I’ve always enjoyed playing in Germany and always know that I feel comfortable , and feel good to be playing a new venue as this is for me.”
Ireland’s Paul McGinley set about ending a seven-year winless drought in adding a two under par 70 to his opening 65 and move to a four way share of second place at nine under par.
After producing his lowest first round score in seven years a day earlier, McGinley’s 36-hole starting tally is a best in two years.
“It was much tougher today with the wind, and a good test of golf,” he said.
“But the new technology in the game now is just helping my game so much such as the last hole where I was able to chop a rescue club out of the rough and get it to the side of the green, and try and get up-and-down.
“In the past I would be hitting 5-iron and there’s no way I would have got it anywhere near the green.”
Joining McGinley at nine under par is the England duo of Danny Willett and Chris Wood and both shooting 70s along with Paraguay’s Fabrizio Zanotti who shot a 71 after sharing the lead on day one with a 64.
Denmark’s Thomas Norrett, 37 had led by one shot with two holes to play but finished his round double bogey and bogey in a 69 to share sixth place on eight under par.
South Africa’s Dylan Frittelli has surprised many observers apart from himself in his first event as a professional with rounds of 68 and 69 to be sharing eighth place at seven under par.
Frittelli turned pro on Monday and is competing in Germany on a sponsor’s invitation, and has so far upstaged the likes of home town favourite and PGA winner, Martin Kaymer (71 & 73), double U.S. Open winner, Retief Goosen (75 & 75) and England’s Paul Casey (76 & 74) with all three missing the one under par cut off mark.
Only 19 days ago, Frittelli holed a 30-foot birdie putt at the last to help steer his University of Texas ‘Longhorns’ to a third NCAA Golf Championship and first since 1972 in defeating Alabama at the Riveira Club.
“It’s been amazing two days and an eye opener but then I’ve played well, too,” he said.
“But having played four South African Open’s and two Joburg Open’s in the past I am not surprised to play well, as I’ve sort of been used to this level of competition.”
“It’s also nice being back in Germany as I played in a junior tournament in Frankfurt when I was 17.”
