GMac leads as Kaymer struggles
Graeme McDowell leads the Andalucia Masters at halfway but Martin Kaymer’s hopes of becoming World No.1 are fading.
Martin Kaymer’s hopes of becoming world number one suffered a major blow after he fell 11 shots off the pace in the Andalucia Valderrama Masters.
Kaymer needs to win or share second place with no more than one other player if he, rather than the absent Lee Westwood, is to succeed Tiger Woods when the American’s 281-week reign ends on Monday.
But the 25-year-old German could only add a second-round 74 to his opening 72 to lie four over par, well adrift of halfway leader and Ryder Cup team-mate Graeme McDowell.
Kaymer was one under for his round after seven holes after chipping in for a second birdie of the day on the seventh, but then dropped shots at the ninth, 14th, 16th and 18th.
McDowell, who secured the decisive point for Europe at Celtic Manor earlier this month, added a 67 to his opening 68 courtesy of a superb back nine of 32.
At seven under par, the US Open champion is two shots clear of fellow Northern Irishman Gareth Maybin, with Sweden’s Niclas Fasth a further two shots back after a 66.
Fasth, seeking a first European Tour title since 2007, told www.europeantour.com: “It is a lovely score. I am very pleased and somewhat surprised because my game is not so solid, but my putting and my short game were sensational.
“On this course you need to have a good short game even if you are in great form.
“I have had another tough season this year, but it’s getting better at the end and here I have found a bit of spark, a bit of energy.”
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