Retief Goosen is just one of two players in the top 14 of the BMW International to have just one bogey after the first two rounds, writes Ian Hudson
Tee to green his stats have been solid and when he has failed to find the green in the correct number of shots his scrambling skills have been impressive. These stats all contributed to a second round 69 which leaves Goosen three shots behind joint leaders Henrik Stenson and George Coetzee.
Goosen is now quoted at 12.5 having been advised at 21.0 before the tournament began. You could trade out at this stage for a small profit. However I’m going to hold my position in anticipation of another round in the 60's and a move up the leaderboard. The selection is in good shape to win his 15th title on the European Tour. Peter Whiteford has played two solid rounds which have been insufficient to make the cut while Anders Hansen will not be playing over the weekend.
The favourite after the second round is Stenson at 4.7. The Swede has won 6 European titles in the past and the Accenture World Matchplay but has dropped out of the top 100 in the world rankings in recent years. The biggest threat to Goosen may well come from world number 3 Martin Kaymer. He is just one shot behind Goosen in a top 20 that comprises just two players from the top 100 in the world rankings, Goosen and Kaymer.
Bo Van Pelt and Bubba Watson both stand at five under after the uncompleted second round of the Travelers Championship. However the round of the day, and possible the season, was by Patrick Cantley who became the first amateur to shoot 60 on the PGA Tour. That bogey free round gives Cantley a 4 shot lead. He was available to bet at a 1000 before play began and is quoted at 10.5 which seems a big price for a player with such a margin at the head of the leaderbord.
Bo Pelt has 11 holes of his second round to play. He will have to play those holes in something like 3 under to get back in contention. But two birdies in his last four holes yesterday augurs well for a move today. Watson needs a round in the 60s today to move into a challenging position while Hunter Mahan needs several birdies on the back nine of his second round to make the cut.
