JEDDAH: American Harold Varner III and Spain’s Adri Arnaus surged into the halfway lead at the Saudi International, both carding four-under-par 66s in the second round of the opening event in the Asian Tour schedule.
Sitting on 10-under 130, the pair pulled two clear of Australian Cameron Smith and Matthew Wolff from the United States, with overnight leader Matteo Manassero of Italy falling back to five-under after hitting a 73.
England’s Tommy Fleetwood sits a shot further back on seven-under after carding a 67 on another windy day at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club.
American Bryson DeChambeau, the 2020 US Open champion, withdrew before the round with left hand and left hip injuries after opening with a three-over 73 on Thursday.
DeChambeau, the world number nine, this week denied a report that he was offered $135mn to join a Saudi-backed breakaway tour.
Defending champion Dustin Johnson, six-time major winner Phil Mickelson and England’s Tyrrell Hatton are six shots off the lead on four-under, with former British Open winners Henrik Stenson and Shane Lowry another two strokes back.
Varner got off to a slow start in blustery conditions and was over par after seven holes but then birdied four out of his next five holes.
