Smith pulls clear in the heat

Golf

Golf

Britain's Dean Robertson and Ireland's Paul McGinley overcame stifling heat to share second place at the half-way stage of the Heineken Classic in Perth yesterday.

The Australian Wayne Smith, who shared the overnight lead with the New Zealander, Greg Turner, pulled clear on 10 under after a 68, three ahead of Robertson and McGinley.

As temperatures soared to 37C, Robertson drank 12 bottles of water and several sports drinks during his round, which featured eight birdies - including four in a row - as well as a bogey and a double-bogey in his five-under-par 67.

He found the Australian summer sun hard to cope with. "It's just so difficult to maintain concentration," he said. "The first 13 holes were hot, but bearable, but coming down the stretch was just too hot."

John Daly, who missed the cut by nine shots last year, finally mastered the tight course with a 67 to lift himself to within four shots of the leader. For the second day running, he did not use his driver as he moved to six under thanks to a run of five birdies in seven holes.

Ian Woosnam, who complained after being detained on the course for more than five hours yesterday, was given an official warning for slow play yesterday.