Danny Willett was able to laugh off a stiff neck and shoulder and an amateur-like shank at his last hole as he maintained his share of the lead at the BMW International Open in Cologne.
The 26-year-old saw his 155-yard approach to the ninth – the last of his second round – veer wildly off to the right, narrowly clearing the water guarding the adjacent 18th green and coming up just short of the putting surface.
From there the 2012 champion saved par to keep a bogey off his card as he finished with a 68 – matched by playing partner and co-leader Rafa Cabrera-Bello – to post 12 under for 36 holes.
They were later joined by another Spaniard Pablo Larrazabal and Argentinian Emiliano Grillo.
“Twelve under was a great score for two days and the shoulder was good early on,” Willett, who missed Wednesday’s pro-am because of his neck problem, said.
“I completely forgot to take any pills after nine holes and I could feel it in the last few holes.
“The only thing you can do is laugh as it (the shank) is not something that happens very often.”
Cabrera-Bello’s round was not without incident either as he called a penalty on himself for a double-hit at the par-five seventh after clipping the ball twice hitting out of the greenside rough, resulting in his only bogey of the day. Larrazabal, winner in 2011, shot a best of the day 63 which was matched by Wirral golfer Paul Waring who narrowly missed a birdie putt at the last to close on nine under.
Argentinian Grillo was five under through 11 holes but finished with a 66, although that was still good enough for a share of top spot. The 21-year-old admits his performances over the last two days have helped put a smile back on his face.
“My dad passed away in December so it has been a long six months dealing with everything you have to deal with back home,” he said.
Denmark’s Andreas Harto, who in 14 events this season has yet to win a single euro in prize money, made his first cut of the year after a round of 66 moved him to within two of the leaders to guarantee him a payday of at least £2,900.
Martin Kaymer missed the cut after a 73 left him one over.
