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Schwartzel plays through pain barrier to share lead

10/10/2008

Charl Schwartzel and Marcus Fraser share the lead at the halfway stage of the Madrid Masters.

South African Schwartzel fired a seven-under par 64 despite struggling with injury and illness, while Australian Marcus Fraser carded a five-under-par 66 to join him on nine-under.

The pair have a two-stroke lead over Swede Steven Jeppesen (67) and Englishman Robert Rock (65), while former Masters Jose Maria Olazabal survived the cut by one shot.

Miguel Angel Jimenez is seven shots adrift in his bid for victory which would move him up to third place in the Order of Merit.

But it was Schwartzel 's day despite him considering withdrawing with a shoulder injury.

The South African, who sunk five birdies and an eagle, said he was relieved to complete his second round.

"It's funny because I was going to withdraw this morning but I spoke to my dad and he told me to tee off and see how I feel," he said.

"'I've had a sore shoulder the last couple of days and I've been sick for a while. I'm taking antibiotics and I don't feel that strong.

"I really didn't feel good this morning but I got a couple of birdies early on and felt a bit better. Then the sun came out and my shoulder warmed up and improved a lot."

Fraser birdied three of his first four holes before bogeying three holes in succession to lose the lead.

Meanwhile, joint overnight leader Englishman Paul Broadhurst could only manage a 72 to slip back to three under overall.