Golf: Swinging time in the rain

Chad Campbell carded a pretty score on an ugly day with a bogey-free six-under 65 to grab the second round clubhouse lead at the Nissan Open tournament in Los Angeles yesterday.

Unworried by a four-hour rain delay and cool, drizzly conditions at the Riviera Country Club, the 30-year-old American carded six birdies to reach nine-under-par 133 after 36 holes for a three-shot advantage.

Overnight leader and tour rookie Brian Davis, of Britain, was among six golfers who never began their rounds and will spend another night tied at six under in a three-way tie for second with Australia's Robert Allenby and American Kevin Sutherland. Allenby shot a 67 yesterday.

World No 2 Tiger Woods and two-time defending champion Mike Weir began the day two shots off the lead. Woods, who needs to finish no worse than outright fourth at this US$4.8 million ($6.76 million) event to reclaim top spot in the rankings from Vijay Singh, began smartly with a birdie on the first to sit on five under with four holes completed.

Trying to become the first player to win three successive titles here, Weir struggled in the California rain and tumbled down the leaderboard with a two-over 73, leaving him seven shots off the pace.

Britain's Darren Clarke and Luke Donald and Australia's Adam Scott and Stephen Leaney, with American Rocco Mediate, are also at five under.

Allenby, who has missed the cut in three of the four events he has entered this season, got a dark day off to a bright start with an eagle at his first and finished with two birdies to vault into contention.

"I got away to a good start, eagle on the first is good," Allenby said.

- REUTERS