RIFFA, Bahrain — Miguel Angel Jimenez improvised to grab a share of a four-way tie for the lead at the Volvo Champions on Friday, overcoming a broken putter by using a lob wedge to make three birdie putts in a 7-under-par 65.
The Spaniard was tied at 11-under 133 with Edoardo Molinari of Italy and Frenchman Raphael Jacquelin, who also had 65s, and Peter Hanson, who shot a 67. The Swede missed a chance for the outright lead after a bogey on No. 8, his 17th hole, at the Royal Golf Club.
Disgusted with missing several short putts, Jimenez snapped his putter in two on the 13th hole.
“I played so good today and I had so many chances for birdie,” Jimenez said. “I missed like 3-foot putts a few times, so I just slammed the putter and, unfortunately, the bag came in the way.”
The leaders were one stroke ahead of Scotsman Stephen Gallacher, who shot 64, the day’s best round, Paul Casey of England (67), Darren Clarke of Northern Ireland (65) and James Kingston (67) of South Africa.
Count Couples, Love in.
Fred Couples and 2012 U.S. Ryder Cup captain Davis Love III committed to play in the Phoenix Open next week at TPC Scottsdale.
