Brier shoots 70 to take 1-shot lead at Dunhill Links Championship
ST. ANDREWS, Scotland -- Austria's Markus Brier shot a 2-under 70 in cold conditions Friday at St. Andrews to take a one-stroke lead in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
Brier had an 8-under 136 total. The two-time European tour winner opened with a 66 on Thursday at Kingsbarns.
Sweden's Robert Karlsson (70), Denmark's Soren Hansen (73), Germany's Martin Kaymer (72) and Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy (69) were tied for second. Karlsson, Hansen and Kaymer played at St. Andrews, while McIlroy was at Carnoustie
Two-time champion Padraig Harrington was two strokes back after a 71 at St. Andrews. Lee Westwood also was 6 under after a 70 at St. Andrews.
Harrington, the British Open and PGA champion, rallied in difficult conditions.
"I didn't hole the putts. I played very well and didn't get rewarded," Harrington said. "But I holed a 15-footer for par on the 17th and a 12-footer for birdie at the last, so I feel good."
Harrington will play the third round at Carnoustie, where he won the first of two straight British Opens.
Ernie Els shot a 76 at St. Andrews to finish at 5 over.
"I just don't have it this week," the South African said. "I'm struggling with my back a little bit. I tweaked it this morning before I teed off. In this weather, it's never going to warm up. It's really stiff and tight."
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press
