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Johnson joins Choi in first at Scandinavian Masters

Sat 24th, July 2010

Stockholm, Sweden (Sports Network) - Sweden's own Richard S. Johnson posted a two-under 70 on Saturday to join second-round leader K.J. Choi in first place after the 54 holes of the Scandinavian Masters.

Johnson and Choi, who had a one-under 71, are knotted at 10-under 206 at Bro Hoff Slott Golf Club.

Open champion Louis Oosthuizen, less than one week from his epic major triumph, bogeyed the last for a two-under 70. He fell into third place at minus-nine.

"I'm a bit disappointed," said the winner last week at St. Andrews. "I was hitting it well. Should've been 66 or 67, but I'm still happy. I'm going into the final round with a chance to win."

Mark Brown (67) and Rafa Echenique (72) share fourth place at seven-under 209.

Johnson made the turn at one-under par after a bogey at four and two birdies, including his third in as many days at the par-five ninth. He dropped a shot at the 10th, but was still one behind Choi, who also made the turn at one- under par and bogeyed 10.

At the par-five 12th, Choi laid up with his second shot, then knocked his third to seven feet. He converted the birdie effort to move two in front of Johnson.

Choi parred his last six holes to stay at 10-under par, but had one amazing par in that run. At the par-five 13th, Choi's second barely landed in the water. He put on his rain gear, took off his shoes and socks and hacked over the green. Choi was able to save par to stay in front.

"First time," said Choi, the second-round leader. "Water was very cold."

With Choi making pars, Johnson had some magic left in his round.

He birdied the 13th to cut the gap to one, then tied Choi for first with a birdie at the par-five 15th.

Oosthuizen tallied three birdies on the back nine to join the logjam at 10- under par. He landed in a greenside bunker at the last and blasted out to 10 feet. The Open champion missed the par putt to fall one behind the leaders, who had problems of their own at 18.

Choi landed in the first cut, but was able to advance the ball to the green. He left himself with almost four feet for par, but sank the putt to stay at 10-under.

"It was very exciting today," said Choi. "I controlled my ball very well."

Johnson's tee ball found the left rough, but lashed up close to the putting surface. He saved par to stay tied and received a huge ovation from his fellow countrymen.

"I'm getting plenty of it," said Johnson. "I wasn't really nervous today. It's really neat. I know a lot of people here. It always helps being the top Swede in this."

Scottish Open winner Edoardo Molinari had a one-under 71 on Saturday and is sixth at minus-six.

Nicolas Colsaerts (68), Brett Rumford (70), Robert-Jan Derksen (73) and Richard Green (73) are knotted in seventh place at five-under 211.

NOTES: Choi and Johnson both are PGA Tour members and winners on that circuit...Both players also own one European Tour title...Heavy rain is forecast for Sunday...Defending champion Ricardo Gonzalez shot a four-over 76 and fell into a tie for 53rd at four-over par.