Dazzling Danes head World Cup field at halfway mark  

Kjeldsen and Olesen shot a combined 60 in the second round four balls to take Denmark into three shot lead after the second round of the World Cup of Golf

Søren Kjeldsen and Thorbjørn Olesen combined for a sensational 60 to fire Denmark to the top of the leaderboard on day two of the ISPS HANDA World Cup of Golf in Australia.

Just six teams fired under par in the first-round foursomes, but despite increased winds at Kingston Heath, all 28 teams managed that feat in the fourballs.

The Danes turned a three shot first round deficit into a three shot second round lead thanks to two eagles and eight birdies in a brilliant bogey-free effort. That moved them to 12 under par as they went in search of a maiden World Cup title, with second-placed China also looking to lift the trophy for the first time.

Wu Ashun and Li Haotong have both won on the European Tour this season, and the duo are in a strong position to finish their campaigns in fine style after a second round 65.

Little and Large: Andy Sullivan (right) and Chris Wood are well placed to challenge for the title in tied fourth

Overnight leaders Rafa Cabrera Bello and Jon Rahm of Spain were then on eight under, with England’s pairing of Chris Wood and Andy Sullivan, Italian duo Francesco Molinari and Matteo Manassero, Frenchmen Victor Dubuisson and Romain Langasque, and Americans Rickie Fowler and Jimmy Walker a further shot back.

“To be honest, I was thinking about a 59 with the last two holes to go, but 60 was still a great score,” said Olesen. “Søren got it going by holing his second shot on the third, and then I chipped in for eagle also. So combined, we were very good. I felt like yesterday we did a great job in the foursomes. It’s a tricky course, especially when it blows this much. We did well yesterday and that’s what we have to do again tomorrow.”

Kjeldsen added: “Thorbjørn was playing exceptionally well, so I thought if I get it in play and get it on the green, I could let him do all the fireworks and it worked pretty well. In terms of temperament, I don’t think we’re that different. But I think game-wise we’re very different. Thorbjørn’s very flashy, he hits it miles off the tee and overall has got an amazing game; whereas I’m more like a train, I arrive on time, but without too much of the flashy stuff.”

Of the other homes nations, Ireland, represented by Shane Lowry and Graeme McDowell are tied 16th following rounds of 72 and 69. Wales, represented by Bradley Dredge and Stuart Manley, are tied 14th, while Scotland, represented by Russell Knox and Duncan Stewart, are in tied 23rd after shooting a seven-under 65 in the second round four balls, which followed a 78 in the foursomes.

Scores after Round 2

1 Søren KJELDSEN / Thorbjørn OLESEN DEN 72 60 132 -12
2 WU Ashun / LI Haotong CHN 70 65 135 -9
3 Rafa CABRERA BELLO / Jon RAHM ESP 69 67 136 -8
4 Victor DUBUISSON / Romain LANGASQUE FRA 70 67 137 -7
Rickie FOWLER / Jimmy WALKER USA 70 67 137 -7
Francesco MOLINARI / Matteo MANASSERO ITA 71 66 137 -7
Chris WOOD / Andy SULLIVAN ENG 71 66 137 -7
8 Alex NOREN / David LINGMERTH SWE 72 66 138 -6
Hideki MATSUYAMA / Ryo ISHIKAWA JPN 73 65 138 -6
10 C.T. Pan / CHAN Shih-chang TPE 74 65 139 -5
Thongchai JAIDEE / Kiradech APHIBARNRAT THA 73 66 139 -5
Danny LEE / Ryan FOX NZL 75 64 139 -5
Joost LUITEN / Darius VAN DRIEL NED 75 64 139 -5
14 Bradley DREDGE / Stuart MANLEY WAL 74 66 140 -4
S.S.P CHAWRASIA / CHIKKARANGAPPA S IND 74 66 140 -4
16 Shane LOWRY / Graeme MCDOWELL IRL 72 69 141 -3
Bernd WIESBERGER / Martin WIEGELE AUT 73 68 141 -3
18 Jhonattan VEGAS / Julio VEGAS VEN 74 68 142 -2
Ricardo GOUVEIA / José-Filipe LIMA POR 74 68 142 -2
Jaco VAN ZYL / George COETZEE RSA 76 66 142 -2
Thomas PIETERS / Nicolas COLSAERTS BEL 73 69 142 -2
Adam SCOTT / Marc LEISHMAN AUS 74 68 142 -2
23 Byeong Hun AN / K.T. KIM KOR 74 69 143 -1
Russell KNOX / Duncan STEWART SCO 78 65 143 -1
David HEARN / Adam HADWIN CAN 75 68 143 -1
26 Miguel TABUENA / Angelo QUE PHI 77 67 144 0
27 Alex CEJKA / Stephan JAEGER GER 74 71 145 1
Danny CHIA / Nicholas FUNG MAS 77 68 145 1

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