NEWS

Peter Hedblom leads ISPS Handa Perth Int'l by two after second round

By Associated Press
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Peter Hedblom leads ISPS Handa Perth Int'l by two after second round

PERTH, Australia – Peter Hedblom shot a 3-under 69 Friday to take a two-stroke lead after two rounds of the ISPS Handa Perth International on the European Tour. 

The Swede, who is at 7-under 137, is two strokes ahead of Ross Fisher, who had the lowest round of the day with a 5-under 67. 

"It's been two great days," Hedblom said. "But my golf is strange right now, because I hit really good shots, and some really poor shots, but my putting has been good. So it's great right now to be leading." 

Hedblom needs a win in Perth to retain his European Tour card. Only the top 110 players on the tour qualify for the Race to Dubai, and Hedblom was 179th heading into the Perth tournament. 

ROUND 1 RECAP: Hedblom tied with Jeong, Nitties and Rice in do-or-die event

"Definitely. I love fairy tales," Hedblom said when asked if he could retain his card after a difficult year. 

Four-time European Tour winner Fisher, currently 65th in the Race to Dubai, chipped in from the bunker at the sixth for one of six birdies. He's in second place, one shot ahead of Soren Hansen, Jin Jeong, Clint Rice, Josh Younger and Dimitrios Papadatos. 

Defending champion Bo Van Pelt has a share of eighth at 3 under, while fellow American Dustin Johnson, who had a share of the first-round lead, is tied for 21st at 1 under.