Woosnam leads German Masters

COLOGNE, Germany, Sept. 13 (UPI) -- Ian Woosnam shot his lowest 18-hole score in a year and a half Friday to take the lead after the second round of the German Masters.

Woosnam fired an 8-under-par 64, his best round since the 2001 Dubai Desert Classic, to improve to 12-under 132. That was one shot better than Warren Bennett and Nick Dougherty of England and first-round leader Stephen Leaney of Australia.

After shooting a 68 on Thursday, Woosnam started on the back nine Friday and was a dazzling 6-under at the turn. He was on pace to set a course record of 63 before bogeying the sixth hole. He recovered with his final birdie on No. 8.

"The course is there for the taking and you just have to go out and do it," Woosnam said. "I holed a lot of putts today which makes a difference."

Woosnam and Bennett were among those taking advantage of the tranquil morning conditions. The 31-year-old Bennett surged up the leaderboard with five birdies on his last six holes to complete a round of 66.

Dougherty eagled both of the par 5s on the back nine to finish with a 65.

"I got off to a good start with birdies on the sixth, seventh and eighth which are not easy birdie holes," Dougherty said. "The two eagles on the back nine were a bonus."

Ireland's Padraig Harrington, a member of the European Ryder Cup team, shot a 66 and was tied for sixth with England's Anthony Wall at 135. Mark Pilkington of Wales shot a 69 Friday and was alone in fifth place at 134.

Defending champion Bernhard Langer of Germany was six strokes off the pace after shooting a 70.