PACIFIC PALISADES, California — South African veteran Retief Goosen, a twice former US Open winner, seized a one-shot lead at the Northern Trust Open Friday in tough conditions more reminiscent of a major championship. On a firm and fast-running Riviera Country Club layout where most players struggled to get the ball close with approach shots, Goosen scrambled well as he eked out a one-under-par 70 in the second round. The 46-year-old ended his day with an unexpected flourish, draining a 30-foot birdie putt on his final hole, the par-four ninth, to post a six-under total of 136. That gave Goosen, who is seeking his first PGA Tour victory since 2009, a slender one-shot advantage over Americans Ryan Moore (68) and Justin Thomas (69), and Canadian Graham DeLaet (67). Burly Argentine Angel Cabrera, like Goosen a double major champion, was alone at four under after carding a 68. “I didn't hit the ball as good as I hit it yesterday definitely,” Goosen, who has been struggling for full fitness since having back surgery in August 2012 to repair a damaged disc, told reporters. DeLaet, still hunting his first PGA Tour victory after being a runner-up on three occasions, was delighted with his position heading into the weekend at one of his favorite venues. “I played well, I really putted well,” said the 33-year-old from Saskatchewan. Masters champion Bubba Watson, who won last year's Northern Trust Open, was three strokes off the pace after carding a 69. The cut fell at three-over 145 with former world number ones Ernie Els, Fred Couples and Luke Donald among those failing to advance. Ko retains share of lead Newly crowned world No. 1 Lydia Ko shot a one-under-par 72 Saturday to retain a share of the lead heading into the final round of the women's Australian Open, the third event on this year's LPGA Tour. The 17-year-old from New Zealand had three birdies and two bogeys to finish at seven-under on a hot and humid day at Royal Melbourne. “You hit in on to the green and you have this humongous break,” Ko told reporters. “It's tough in every aspect ... it does feel like a major.” Ko finished the round tied with another teen, Thailand's Ariya Jutanugarn, who also shot 72 after starting her day with a bogey on the first hole. South Korea's Amy Yang carded a 70 to be outright third, one shot behind the leading pair at six-under while Juliette Granada of Paraguay and Australia's Katherine Kirk were a further two shots back. Both shot rounds of 70 with Granada reeling off four birdies in her last 11 holes after making a double bogey on the par-three fifth and Kirk making five bogeys in six holes on the back nine. South Korea's Jang Ha-na, who had started the day level with Ko and Jutanugarn, fell four shots behind after a 76. — Agencies
