Frenchman Harvet leads at Gleneagles
Thursday, 28 Aug 2008 21:08
Justin Rose on course to secure Ryder Cup spot
Frenchman Gregory Harvet carded a five-under-par 68 to claim a two shot lead in the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles.
Harvet played brilliantly in the blustery conditions to putt six birdies and the just the single bogey and he now has a good lead over Paul Broadhurst, Christian Cevaer, Gary Orr and Robert Rock, who are all on three-under-par.
The Johnnie Walker Championship is of extra importance this year as it is the final chance for players to secure a Ryder Cup place, with six players with a chance of getting one of the final three places.
Justin Rose, who stands at eighth position in the Ryder Cup standings, is well placed to claim his place as he carded a solid first round level-par 73, while ninth place Soren Hansen had a first round one-under-par 72.
It wasn't a good day for tenth placed Oliver Wilson. He is in danger of missing out after he could only manage a first round three-over-par 76. If Wilson misses the cut, then Martin Kraymer could overtake him by finishing in the top 26.
Ross Fisher needs a third-place finish to overtake Wilson and he finished the round on one-under-par, while Nick Dougherty, who needs a runner-up finish, is on one-over.
Wildcard hopefuls Darren Clarke and Colin Montgomerie ended on one-under-par and one-over-par respectively.