Little known Swede Carl Pettersson fired a four-under 68 on Friday to open a three-shot lead over over Americans Brad Faxon and Todd Hamilton after the second round of the Honda Classic in Florida. In his second year on tour, Pettersson completed 36 holes at 13-under 131 at the Country Club of Mirasol. In six previous starts this year, he finished no better than 24th.
The 26-year-old North Carolina resident had an impressive performance as a rookie, finishing second behind Tiger Woods at the Buick Invitational. "I'm glad I carried on from yesterday and felt like I played nearly just as good as yesterday," said Pettersson, who set a course record on Thursday with a 63. "Didn't make as many putts, but felt really good."
Another Swede, Fredrik Jacobsen, is alone in fourth place at 136, two shots ahead of a group of nine players that includes Sweden's Jesper Parnevik. Pettersson has not lived in Sweden since he was 10 years old and Parnevik joked on Thursday that he is unknown in his homeland. But a few rounds like his first two here could change that.
Having lived in North Carolina since he was 15, Pettersson admitted he has become 'Americanised'. "In 2000, the Swedish national coach called me up and actually asked if I was Swedish," he said. "He was seeing my world rakings on the college list (at North Carolina State) and he wanted to know if I wanted to play for Sweden in the European Amateur in the Eisenhower Cup. I said sure."
Pettersson has been in a groove for two days, making just one bogey. Starting on the back nine on Friday, he birdied the 11th hole, then gained momentum when he nearly holed a seven-iron from 181 yards for eagle. "I'm hitting really good iron shots right now," Pettersson said. "The way the course is set up, if you do miss a drive here and there, the rough is not that penal. So you can still have a good shot at the green."
Pettersson ended his bogeyless streak at 28 holes at the par-five second but got back the stroke at No 5 and finished with four pars. It was good enough for his first 36-hole lead since joining the PGA Tour. On the weekend, however, he will have to contend with Faxon, who appears to be regaining his form.
The Rhode Island native suffered a torn right knee ligament last November while exercising at home. He elected not to undergo surgery and did not return until mid-February. Faxon looked rusty, missing the cut at his first two tournaments and losing in the first round of the Match Play Championship. But he has played well here, posting rounds of 68-66.
"I've been doing lots of rehab and therapy, and that's taking a lot of time out of practicing," said Faxon, whose last win came at the 2001 Sony Open. "My game was a mess, to tell you the truth. My head was a mess."
Australia's Craig Parry, who sank a six-iron from 176 yards to win a play-off at last week's Ford Championship, rebounded from an opening-round 73 to shoot 68 but is 10 shots behind Pettersson. Defending champion Justin Leonard avoided missing the cut by one shot, struggling to a 73 after a first-round 71.
Filed by Shane Murray
