Parnevik wastes ace advantage

Golf

Sweden's Jesper Parnevik revelled in the joy of a hole in one then endured a bogey-bogey finish to let the defending champions, the United States, edge four shots ahead at the World Cup in Shenzhen, China, yesterday.

Parnevik's ace at the 205-yard par-three 15th helped pull Sweden to within two shots of the US pair of Fred Couples and Davis Love III, but his poor finale gave the Americans a comfortable cushion with two rounds remaining.

Despite his problems at the final two holes, Parnevik, the world No 38, still finished with a 66 and is third in the individual scores, while his partner, Jarmo Sandelin, recorded a 71 for a 273 team aggregate.

Love and Couples gave another demonstration of superb shot-making to score 67 and 69 respectively for a combined total of 269 - 19 under par.

Esteban Toledo and Rafael Alarcon, of Mexico, climbed up the scoreboard to lie 10 shots off the pace in third place, thanks mainly to a five-under- par 67 from Toledo. Japan's Hisayuki Sasaki, the individual leader, and Hiroshi Goda are a shot behind the Mexicans in fourth place.

Ireland are fifth on 281, with Darren Clarke shooting 69 and Philip Walton hitting 71. Scotland, with Sam Torrance scoring 70 and Andrew Coltart 74, lie joint sixth on 282.

England (Mark Roe scored 69 and Paul Broadhurst 74) are two shots back on 284, while Wales are one stroke further back with 285. Mark Mouland went round in 74 and Phillip Price scored 70.

Parnevik's third ace of his career was the highlight of the second round. "It was a good five- iron but I was surprised when it went in, although Fred Couples called it in the air," said Parnevik, who has played most of his golf in the United States this year.

Results, Sporting Digest, page 29