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Eagles fly Daly opens four-shot lead at BMW International
Updated: Friday August 31, 2001 3:58 PM
MUNICH (Reuters) -- Jose Maria Olazabal equalled the Nord Eichenried course record on Friday in the BMW International Open, collecting a spectacular albatross on the way to a 62 and twice holing out from off the green. Olazabal's adventurous 10-under-par took the double Masters champion into a share of third place on 12-under-par 132 and kept his Ryder Cup hopes alive. On a day of remarkable shotmaking, though, John Daly's 30-foot eagle putt on the last for a 64 to follow his opening 63 took him to 17-under-par 127, five strokes ahead of Olazabal and four in front of the field as the American led for a second day. Australian Richard Green, Daly's overnight co-leader, is the second-placed man but only a putt that horseshoed out on the last prevented Olazabal from breaking the course record and sharing second spot. The Spaniard needs to win and pick up the 300,000 points first prize if he is to make the Ryder Cup team automatically in a top-10 spot. But Olazabal may even get the remaining wild-card now even if he falls short and claims only 11th place in the table on Sunday night in the last event to count for points. Olazabal looked to be making only steady progress until he launched his 1-iron 235 yards out on the long 11th and then did his own brand of the flamenco with his caddie -- as he did when he helped Europe win the 1987 Ryder Cup in Muirfield Village -- as his ball took four little skips and found the cup. With four birdies to follow, once chipping in and once using the putter from off the green, Olazabal had a day to remember. "It was a very special day, one of those days to keep in the back of the mind," said Olazabal. "The 11th was the turning point of the round." Olazabal agreed that it could also be the turning point of his Ryder Cup chances, adding, "I don't have any choices. I have to win. "There will be so many guys trying to do the same so it's going to be difficult. But I've opened the door." With several players missing the cut, especially 10th-placed Phillip Price, 11th-spot Ian Poulter and Miguel Angel Jimenez in 12th place, Olazabal now has a chance to storm the top 10. Torrance has already said that he might think of the Spaniard as a wild-card should he excel this week. "I don't have that in my mind at all, just enjoying golf again at the weekend as much as I have today," said Olazabal. Daly could be his chief threat to first place after the American produced his second eagle of the day to extend his lead, sending in a 4-iron approach 234 yards before holing out. "I've been making a whole bunch of eagles lately," said an elated Daly, "Two on Sunday in Reno. "The eagle on the last helped a lot. It's been a long time since I've had chance to win. "But the guys are so good, anybody can get it going and light up at the weekend, so nothing's won yet." As well as Daly's two eagles and Olazabal's albatross, Frenchman Raphael Jaquelin aced he short 17th on his way to a 67 and eight off the pace, earning himself a $120,000 BMW Z8 car.
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
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