Golf

Alex Levy leads the way in Germany but Dustin Johnston still on for FedEx Cup

  Dustin Johnson remained on course for the FedEx Cup title and $11.5m payday as world number one Jason Day was forced to withdraw from the Tour Championship during the second round last night.
  Dustin Johnson remained on course for the FedEx Cup title and $11.5m payday as world number one Jason Day was forced to withdraw from the Tour Championship during the second round last night.   Dustin Johnson remained on course for the FedEx Cup title and $11.5m payday as world number one Jason Day was forced to withdraw from the Tour Championship during the second round last night.

Porsche European Open

FRANCE’S Alexander Levy produced a brilliant display to surge into a commanding lead on day two of the weather-affected Porsche European Open in Germany.

After morning fog caused a lengthy delay in play for the second day in succession, Levy returned to the course at Bad Griesbach Gijon to complete an opening round of 62 and edge ahead of overnight leader Bernd Wiesberger.

And the 26-year-old immediately carried on where he left off in round two, carding another eight birdies in 17 holes before play was suspended due to darkness.

At 17-under-par, the two-time European Tour winner was six shots clear of Ryder Cup star Martin Kaymer, who also had one hole remaining, as well as England’s Ross Fisher and Sweden’s Robert Karlsson, who had three to play.

“It was really good,” Levy said.

“I said this morning that I just wanted to have fun and enjoy and play my golf. That is what I did today and now it’s really nice. I played well and it is always good to be in a position like that.

“I finished my round well this morning with two birdies in the last two holes and started with three birdies on the first three holes. I think I’m in a good way and I just need to enjoy and to do my best to do my job.”

Kaymer, who was seven-under par for his second round, admitted another weather-hit event was not ideal ahead of next week’s Ryder Cup, adding: “It’s a very bad feeling to have such long days, coming from Italy were we were playing from early morning to late at night and now it’s the same again.

“It’s not the perfect preparation for Ryder Cup.

“I hope that the tournament will be decided over 54 holes. From my score, I’m happy. I have had 12 birdies in 26 holes today. My plan is just to keep playing like that tomorrow.”

Karlsson needs to birdie the last three holes when play resumes this morning to break the magical 60 barrier, although an historic 59 would not count for record purposes due to the preferred lies in operation.

“Of course 59 crossed my mind, but I wasn’t actually aware of it for a while,” Karlsson said after starting from the 10th and covering the back nine in just 30 strokes.

“I knew I was making a lot of birdies and I didn’t know how many under par I was, but then I went eaglebirdie on three and four and I was thinking ‘I must be quite a few under now’, obviously.

“It’s always a tricky situation when you know you’re not going to finish.”