You are in > manchester.com  > News > Mads leads Welsh Open

Golf

Mads leads Welsh Open

01/06/2007

Mads Vibe-Hastrup is the surprise leader at the halfway stage of the Welsh Open at Celtic Manor.

The Dane fired a round of six-under par 63 to lead by one stroke, which included a sensational eagle on the 16th hole.

Scottish duo Alastair Forsyth and Steven O'Hara along with Australian Brett Rumford are tied in second place on seven under.

English duo Paul Broadhurst and Nick Dougherty, Welshman Bradley Dredge, and Scot Garry Orr are among ten players on seven under.

Retief Goosen, the only player in the top 25 competing in the event, and holder Robert Karlsson both crashed out after nightmare rounds.

South African Goosen went round in 73 on the par-69 course leaving Colin Montgomerie, who made 64, the highest-ranking survivor.

The Scot, who is four shots off the leader, said he was disgusted with his putting display.

"I got my game back together and got half of it right, but the other half is terrible," Montgomerie said.

"My putting is the weakest part of anyone's game out here. That could have been anything."

But Vibe-Hastrup stole the show and the 28-year-old revealed he was inspired by compatriot Anders Hansen's playoff victory over Justin Rose last week at the PGA Championship.

"It was fantastic that he [Hansen[ went on and won there," Vibe-Hastrup said.

His season has been so-so and then he goes and wins the biggest tournament on Tour. It just shows that it can be done.”

"I have missed a couple of cuts in recent months when my putting has been off but I played well in Ireland a couple of weeks ago in tough conditions and that gave me confidence," said Vibe-Hastrup.

"I had a week off last week and so I felt fresh coming here and I was looking forward to going out to play – and I think that has shown in the way I have played over the first two days. I am looking forward to the weekend."

© Adfero Ltd