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Maestro McDowell leads by two strokes in South Korea

14/03/2008

Britain's Graeme McDowell fired a stunning round of 64 to lead at the halfway stage of the Ballantine's Championship in South Korea.

The Northern Ireland star leads by two strokes after sinking six birdies and an eagle in Jeju.

His nearest challengers are India's Jeev Milkha Singh (66) and Swede Johan Edfors who both lie on ten under.

Ireland's Paul McGinley, who had earlier claimed the clubhouse lead after going round in 67 in gusty winds, is in joint fourth place on nine under.

But McGinley stole the show with birdies on the first, second, fifth, sixth, 12th and 18th along with an eagle on the par five tenth.

The Irishman said he was delighted to lie on 12 under before the sun went down.

"It was pretty dark out there at the end. It's a massive help to get a little bit of a lie-in tomorrow," McGinley said.

"Obviously 64 today was very pleasant. I feel happy with what I'm doing and certainly feel I'm putting well enough to compete this weekend.

"It was blowing 30 miles an hour when we teed off but mysteriously the wind just dropped. It was amazing and we probably got the best of the day in the end."

McDowell's playing partner Thomas Bjorn made seven straight threes, but slipped away on the back nine and finished with a 66.

Swede Bjorn sits on eight under par with American Anthony Kim and Padraig Harrington, with the Irishman carding 65.

Overnight leader Tony Carolan, who sacked his caddie after four holes during his first round and replaced him with a local girl, hit a three over par 75.