European Tour Members Ben Curtis, the reigning Open Champion, and Justin Rose of England lie in a three-way tie for the lead with Trinidad and Tobago’’s Stephen Ames at the halfway stage of the Memorial Tournament at Muifield Village, Dublin, Ohio.
After a flawless 17 holes comprising seven birdies, Rose double bogeyed the final hole for a five under par 67, matching the low round of the day, and 36 hole total of 137, seven under par. It is becoming a familiar position for Rose, who also led at the same stage in the Masters Tournament in April and the Volvo PGA Championship at Wentworth Club last week before finishing joint 21st and joint 11th respectively.
Curtis, brought up 20 minutes away from the course in the tiny town of Ostrander, has refrained from taking the Claret Jug on a world tour since his triumph at Royal St George’’s last July but decided to bring it with him to Muirfield Village for some motivation. The ploy appeared to be working as he followed his opening 68 with a three under par 69, which included a birdie on the last.
“Looking at that thing gives you goosebumps,” said Curtis of the Claret Jug. “Havign no bogeys in two days is a reflection of the way I am playing.”
Ames also finished in style with a birdie on the last for a four under par 68 to complete the trio on seven under par 137.
World Number Three Ernie Els of South Africa, the current leader of the Volvo Order of Merit, leads the chasing pack one stroke off the pace after second round 70, two under par. He lies in joint fourth place alongside Korean K J Choi and American Fred Couples.
