Brett Rumford edged closer to becoming only the third Australian to win back-to-back in the 41-year history of the European Tour.
Rumford fired a five under par 67 to move to nine under par on day two of the Volvo China Open and less than a week after winning the Ballantine’s Championship.
The Perth-born player, who was then joined by similiar in-form Thai golfer Kiradeck Aphibarnrate (67) atop of the board in the co-sanctioned European Tour and One Asia Tour event, birdied his closing four holes to grab the clubhouse lead at nine under par and one shot clear of first round leader Robert-Jan Derksen of Holland who shot a 70.
“This is a new week and another tournament,” said Rumford.
“I feel good, my fitness is good and my energy levels feel nice and high, so hopefully I can ride the wave over the weekend and keep the good feelings going.
“It’s a nice feeling when you’re holing putts and seeing your name up near the top of the leaderboard. You’ve got to make the most of these moments when they come along, and I’m managing to do that at the minute.
Rumford is not only looking to win a fifth European Tour title but looking to match the efforts of fellow Australians Jack Newton and Graham Marsh.
Newton became the first Australian-born back-to-back winner on the European Tour in winning the 1972 Dutch Open and then the next Tour event, the Benson and Hedges Festival while Marsh in 1977 captured the back-to-back Colgate World Match-Play title and the Lancombe Trophy.
Rumford as a then amateur had created history in 1999 winning on the Australasian PGA Tour and a week after compatriot and fellow amateur, Aaron Baddeley captured the Australian Open.
Dersken, seeking to end a seven-year winless drought, fought back from back-to-back bogeys at his 10th and 11th holes to birdie three of his closing five holes.
“I played pretty solid again today, just had those two bad holes in the middle of my round,” said Derksen.
“But other than that, I played well and the last five holes in particular were pretty good, so all in all, I have to be happy with my position after two rounds.”
