Rumford targeting victory

Australian Brett Rumford (10/3 to win the tournament with bet365) is looking for his first win since 2007, leading at the halfway point of the Ballantine’s Championship in Seoul by three shots.

The 33-year-old from Perth hit the day’s best round on Friday, following up his first round 71 with a 63 to take him to the top of the leaderboard.

Rumford, who finished runner-up in this event 12 months ago, is three shots clear of Spain’s Miguel Angel Jimenez (11/2 to win with bet365) and Denmark’s Soren Kjeldsen (8/1).

His second round 63, which was three shots better than anyone else managed on day two, included five birdies on the opening nine holes and two more on the last two holes of the day.

Rumford, who has four professional wins to his name to date, said: “I haven’t come into this week with that great form. But this is a funny game and it can change from week to week.”

“I think the difference between today and yesterday is just the wind out there. It was a lot calmer and obviously a lot easier to control the ball coming into these very firm greens.”

World number one Lee Westwood (9/1 to win with bet365) is sitting six shots off the lead after hitting a round of 68 on day two, but it could have been even better as he dropped shots on the 13th and 16th as he struggled for consistency.