Goosen wraps up to leave rivals in the cold

South Africa's Retief Goosen shot a six-under-par 65 to take a two-shot lead into the second round of the Belgacom Open in Knokke yesterday, despite freezing wind and rain.

South Africa's Retief Goosen shot a six-under-par 65 to take a two-shot lead into the second round of the Belgacom Open in Knokke yesterday, despite freezing wind and rain.

"This is much colder than the Dunhill Cup at St Andrews," said Goosen, who is two ahead of Spain's Jose Rivero, Zimbabwe's Tony Johnstone and Scotland's Dean Robertson. "I've got everything on I possibly can - T-shirt, shirt, jumper, waterproof suit, handwarmers in the pocket. I'm wearing everything I've got in my suitcase. It's not my sort of weather."

Goosen has had a hot season with victory in the French Open and nine other top 10 finishes taking him to fourth in the Order of Merit. Seven birdies yesterday put Goosen on course for another big cheque.

Further down the leaderboard, the former Ryder Cup player Joakim Haeggman put the worst year of his career behind him to make a last-ditch attempt to retain his card with an opening 68. The 30-year-old became the first Swede to play in the Ryder Cup in 1993, but now lies 123rd in the Order of Merit and needs a top 10 finish to have a chance of retaining his card.

Meanwhile, Johnstone finally sorting out the putting problems that had dogged him for four years. "I've tried left-handed putters, I putted in two tournaments this year one-handed. I would shove it up my nostril and putt with my ears if I thought it was going to work,' said the former PGA champion.

John Daly hit a level-par 71 while the defending champion, Lee Westwood, shot a 73. There was a rare day under par for Seve Ballesteros, whose 69 left him four behind.