Luke Donald breaks course record to take halfway lead in Sweden

AP Photos

LODDEKOPINGE, Sweden (AP) – England’s Luke Donald shot a course-record 7-under 65 Friday to take a one-shot lead after two rounds of the Scandinavian Masters.

Donald’s bogey-free round at Barseback Golf and Country Club included seven birdies and 11 pars. He eclipsed the previous record of 66, posted by Sweden’s Carl Pettersson.

“I played very similarly to the way that I did yesterday, I just got more of the putts to roll in for me today,” said Donald, who opened with a 69.

“I think this course suits my game and the weather and conditions were just perfect today. I would love to win here – any win is great, and I don’t think it would do my Ryder Cup chances any harm.”

Donald moved to 10-under 134 on the same course that hosted last year’s Solheim Cup matches.

Sweden’s Wilhelm Schauman had a 5-under 67 and was one shot off the pace.

Donald is 14th in the Ryder Cup world rankings. The top five qualify automatically for the European team, which will defend the trophy at Oakland Hills in Michigan in September. A victory in this event would move him to 10th.

Ireland’s Paul McGinley (68) and Sweden’s Christopher Hanell (69) were tied for third at 137. First-round leader David Howell (71) and Swede Johan Edfors (71) were tied for fifth with Barseback member Henrik Stenson (70) and Peter Hanson (66).

Former two-time winner Jesper Parnevik was another stroke back at 139, while Colin Montgomerie, who won two of his three Scandinavian Masters titles at Barseback, was tied for 11th at 140.

AP-ES-07-30-04 1557EDT