PACIFIC PALISADES, California — South Korean Bae Sang-moon upstaged some of the game's biggest names by charging into a tie for the lead with Swede Fredrik Jacobson in the second round of the Northern Trust Open Friday. Taking advantage of ideal scoring conditions on another glorious morning of sunshine at Riviera Country Club, the 26-year-old Korean birdied his first four holes on the way to a six-under-par 65 and a nine-under total of 133. Bae was joined at the top late in the day by Jacobson, who fired a matching 65 after piling up four birdies in five holes around the turn. The highlight of the Swede's round was a 55-foot birdie putt from just off the green at the par-four ninth. Americans John Merrick (66) and John Rollins (65) were tied for third at eight under but several former major winners and heavyweight players were in hot pursuit. British world No. 3 Luke Donald was just two shots off the pace after a 66, with 2011 Masters winner Charl Schwartzel (67), US Open champion Webb Simpson (66) and former world No. 1 Lee Westwood (68) a further stroke back. Twice winner Phil Mickelson (67), Spaniard Sergio Garcia (73), Australian Adam Scott (67) and British Open champion Ernie Els of South Africa (68) were among eight players at four-under 138. Overnight leader Matt Kuchar slipped back with a 73 to end the day four strokes off the pace, level with defending champion Bill Haas (67). The cut fell at two-over 144 with triple major winner Padraig Harrington of Ireland, Masters champion Bubba Watson and 2010 US Open winner Graeme McDowell among those failing to advance. Ko in sight of win In Sydney, New Zealand amateur Lydia Ko moved within sight of a historic second US LPGA win at the age of just 15 when she shot 70 to share the Women's Australian Open third round lead with Shin Ji-Yai Saturday. Ko and Shin opened up a commanding six-shot lead with matching three-under-par rounds at Royal Canberra Golf Club. Coincidentally, the two were also paired in the last round of the Canadian tournament in August, when Korean-born Ko smashed US star Lexi Thompson's record by winning at the age of just 15 years, four months and two days. If not for two bogeys among her five birdies, Ko could have held the outright lead and despite scores of 63, 69 and 70 for her total of 17-under-par 202, she felt she had played better on her way to victory in Canada. Spain's Beatriz Recari was alone in third spot. Fichardt, Van Zyl lift SA hopes Hopes of a sixth consecutive South African victory at the Africa Open rose Saturday when Darren Fichardt and Jaco van Zyl shared the third-round lead. Fichardt fired a seven-under-par 65 and van Zyl a 68 to finish level on 201 with one round to go in the European Tour-Sunshine Tour co-sanctioned event at the par-72 6,066-metre East London Golf Club. Brazilian Adilson da Silva is two strokes behind on 203 after a 73 that included a triple-bogey seven. Frenchman Gregory Bourdy (67) is on 204, Argentine Emiliano Grillo (64) on 205 and Spaniard Jorge Campillo (63), Chilean Mark Tullo (68) and South African Tjaart van der Walt (68) on 206. — Agencies
