RIFFA, Bahrain - Miguel Angel Jimenez improvised to grab a share of a four-way tie for first at the Volvo Champions on Friday, overcoming a broken putter by using a lob wedge to make three birdie putts in a 7-under 65 round.
The Spaniard was tied at 11-under 133 with Edoardo Molinari and Raphael Jacquelin, who also had 65s, and Peter Hanson, who shot a 67.
The leaders were one stroke ahead of Stephen Gallacher, who shot a 64, the day's best round, Paul Casey (67), Darren Clarke (65) and James Kingston (67).
There were 25 players within three shots of the lead after two rounds of the inaugural European Tour tournament.
After the severity of the greens came in for heavy criticism, particularly from Casey and Ian Poulter, generous pin positions and receptive greens after a slight early morning drizzle allowed players to aim for the flag.
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Disgusted with missing several short putts, the Spaniard snapped his putter in two on the 13th hole.
He then used his lob wedge to make three birdie putts coming in, including a 15-footer on the 16th.
"I played so good today and I had so many chances for birdie," Jimenez said. "I missed like three-foot putts a few times, so I just slammed the putter and, unfortunately, the bag came in the way.
Chip shots
• Fred Couples and 2012 U.S. Ryder Cup captain Davis Love III have committed to play in the Phoenix Open next week at TPC Scottsdale. Paul Goydos and Fredrik Jacobson also entered the tourney Friday. Masters champion Phil Mickelson, a former Arizona State standout who won at TPC Scottsdale in 1996 and 2005, tops the 132-player field that includes 17 of the top 30 on the 2010 money list. Mickelson is sixth in the world ranking. Other entries include Dustin Johnson, Geoff Ogilvy, J.B. Holmes, Hunter Mahan, Robert Allenby, Rickie Fowler, Matt Kuchar, Anthony Kim, Vijay Singh, Y.E. Yang, Camilo Villegas, Bill Haas and Trevor Immelman.
