Golf: Unsung Brett in top gear

Brett Wetterich carded his second successive six-under 66 to seize a one-shot lead over two-time former US Open champion Lee Janzen after the second round of the $US5.5 million ($NZ7.54m) Honda Classic in Florida yesterday.

The unheralded Wetterich, whose best career finish was an eighth at the Honda Classic in 2002, carded two error-free rounds giving him a 12-under total of 132.

"I'm feeling pretty good about myself right now, I've had two solid rounds of golf," said Wetterich, 31, who has never won on the PGA Tour and has only one top-10 finish in 48 starts.

"Winning on the PGA Tour, and all the benefits that come with that, would definitely be a life-changing style for me."

The US Open champion in 1992 and 1998 and a winner of six other PGA Tour titles, Janzen is without a victory in almost seven years.

He started out five shots behind overnight leader Chad Campbell but rocketed up the leaderboard with the round of the day, an eight-under 64, including five birdies and an eagle on the back nine.

In one blistering stretch, the 40-year-old American was six under through five holes, giving him the nine-hole course record with a seven-under 29.

"I don't think I've ever done anything better than that," said Janzen. "I had good vibes coming into this tournament. I've never really lost the desire, it's just a matter of confidence and I feel like I've gotten some confidence back.

"I certainly think I can still win."

After an opening 64, Campbell returned a one-under 71 to join Robert Damron in third place on nine-under 135, while Fiji's Vijay Singh, who surrendered the No 1 ranking to Tiger Woods last Sunday, was on four under.

TWO-TIME champion Severiano Ballesteros has pulled out of this year's US Masters because of a knee injury. The Spaniard recovered from crippling arthritis last year and had high hopes of playing regularly in 2005, including in the Masters from April 8-11.

"After a difficult training process and having reached the point where I felt satisfied with my progress, I noticed an injury [to my] right knee cartilage," the 47-year-old said.

Ballesteros won the Masters in 1980 and 1983, two of the five major wins in his career.

He hopes to play in the Spanish Open in the week after the Masters, the British Open at St Andrews in July and the eponymous Seve Trophy event in September.

- AGENCIES