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Choi takes 1-shot lead in Sweden

Fri 23rd, July 2010

Stockholm, Sweden (Sports Network) - K.J. Choi took the lead Friday at the Scandinavian Masters with a five-under 67 in the second round.

Choi finished 36 holes on the Stadium Course at Bro Hof Slott Golf Club with a nine-under 135, moving one shot ahead of Richard S. Johnson (66).

British Open champion Louis Oosthuizen (70) and Rafa Echenique (69) were another stroke further back at seven-under 137, while Robert-Jan Derksen (67) and Richard Green (71) were tied at 138.

Choi started on the 10th tee and shot a 31 on the back nine, including an eagle at the par-five 15th. He also had three birdies before the turn, then another at the first hole.

But Choi three-putted at No. 4, taking the first of three bogeys he made on the front side of the course. He mixed in two more birdies for a 36 to take the lead.

A seven-time winner on the PGA Tour, Choi remained in Europe after missing the cut last week at the British Open. He said he feels more comfortable with his swing this week, one of the reasons he's scored better on another hard course.

"It was very difficult in the morning against the wind," said Choi, who captured his only European Tour win at the 2003 German Masters. "Today my goal was a couple under par ... because the golf course is very difficult."

Johnson negotiated it without a bogey, picking up two birdies on the front nine and four more on the back to climb within one of the lead.

"Turned out to be a really nice round. I actually struggled off the tee today compared to yesterday, but it really worked out nice. I holed out really well and attacked it when I could," said Johnson, who ended at eight-under 136.

Oosthuizen, of course, is coming off a seven-shot win at St. Andrews for his first major championship. He was one of three 18-hole leaders after shooting a 67 on Thursday despite finding little time to sleep during the week.

On Friday, Oosthuizen was done in by a double-bogey at the par-three 17th -- his eighth hole -- where he hit into the water. He shot a 36 on the back nine, then came away with a 34 on the front side to pull within two shots of Choi.

"I made a few thinking errors, stupid mistakes. I think there was a bit of tiredness showing there," said Oosthuizen. "I just made a few bad putts."

Scottish Open winner Edoardo Molinari (71) shared seventh place with Wilhelm Schauman (66) at five-under 139.

NOTES: The cut line fell at one-over 145. Defending champion Ricardo Gonzalez made the weekend at even-par 144...Choi's last win on the PGA Tour came at the 2008 Sony Open in Hawaii.