jimenez among leaders

Miguel Angel Jimenez sanpped his putter in anger during the second round of the Volvo Golf Champions event in Bahrain – and then went on to record three birdies putting with his lob wedge!

The 47-year-old Spaniard now joins the leaders at 11 under.

Darren Clarke and Paul Casey, South African James Kingston and Scot Stephen Gallacher are also right in the hunt.

Edourdo Molinar started strongly when he birdied the first six holes and closed with another for a 65 as he looked for a win that could take him back above his brother Francesco on the Official World Golf Ranking.

And that is saying something given that Francesco, himself well in the hunt at nine under, is currently ranked 15th.

Sergio Garcia, playing his first event of the year, is in the group just three behind after a rollercoaster 69, but Padraig Harrington still has six shots to make up and Colin Montgomerie made the cut with only a stroke to spare at three under.

Casey would have been tied at the top but for a bogey on the 17th, yet it was a good bogey. After driving into the water he chipped in.

“I don’t have very good control of the ball,” he said. “That tee shot was horrific and I’m not sure what direction it’s going.”

Garcia dropped from nine under to six under but is at least showing signs that he is still capable of producing some wuality golf.