GLENEAGLES, Scotland – Ignacio Garrido shot a 3-under 69 Friday to take a one-stroke lead after the second round of the Johnnie Walker Championship.
The 39-year-old Spaniard rolled in his fifth birdie of the day at the par-3 No. 17. The 8-under total left him a shot clear of five players that included Thomas Bjorn (69).
“It’s not an easy course and it doesn’t give you many birdies,” Garrido said. “But my game’s been solid.”
Overnight leader Mark Foster (71) was among the players tied with Bjorn at Gleneagles. Ireland’s Peter Lawrie (69), Italy’s Lorenzo Gagli (68) and England’s Kenneth Ferrie (69) also were one back of the leader.
Garrido won the 2003 European PGA Championship at Wentworth for his second tour title. He has had modest success this season, his best finish fifth at the Irish Open.
Foggy conditions on Thursday caused many players to finish their first round early Friday.
Garrido opened his second round with a bogey on the par-4 No. 1, then birdied three of the next six holes and picked up his other shot at No. 11.
Bjorn rediscovered his British Open form after an unhappy stint in the United States, shooting a second straight round in the 60s.
Bjorn dropped just one shot on Friday, on No. 15, and three birdies around the turn propelled him up the leaderboard. He picked up a fourth shot at the long par-4 No. 7.
After finishing fourth at Royal St. George’s six weeks ago, the 70th-ranked Bjorn struggled to tie for 68th at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational. He missed the cut at the PGA Championship.
“I played extremely well that week at the Open and got a lot of confidence. But I found myself in a position I always do where I then go to America, and all of a sudden have to hit the ball straight up in the air. I found it impossible,” said Bjorn, an 11-time winner on the European Tour.
“I went home and worked for a few days, came here and found a few things I need to do to control the ball again. I’m playing decent golf.”
