Swede Chopra shares early clubhouse lead with Ogilvy

MIAMI, Mar 10 (Reuters) Sweden's Daniel Chopra eagled the 17th on the way to a seven-under-par 65 and an early tie for the clubhouse lead with Australian Geoff Ogilvy in the Honda Classic second round at Palm Beach Gardens today.

Out on the course, world number eight David Toms was tightening his grip on the tournament at 10 under overall after nine holes.

American Toms, the highest-ranked player in the field, was one of four leaders overnight after opening with a 67 but forged ahead with a run of four successive birdies from the par-four fourth.

Another birdie at the par-four ninth, his sixth of the day, put him three strokes clear of the chasing pack.

Chopra, who played with Tiger Woods in the final pair at last week's Doral Championship in Miami, collected five birdies on a relatively calm day at the Country Club at Mirasol.

That left him at six-under 138 alongside Ogilvy, who also eagled the par-five 17th before signing for a roller-coaster 71 on Mirasol's Sunrise Course.

SURPRISE WINNER Ogilvy, surprise winner of last month's WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship at La Costa, completed a card that included two birdies, one bogey and a double-bogey five at the 15th.

Britain's Lee Westwood fired a blemish-free 66 to record a total of 139 alongside compatriot Luke Donald (67) and American Jason Schultz (71).

Westwood, who teed off at the par-four 10th, birdied three of his last five holes.

The pacesetting Toms, who won the Sony Open in Hawaii in January, is chasing the 13th PGA Tour victory of his career.

Lying second out on the course was compatriot Jeff Gove, three under for the day after five holes.

Ireland's Padraig Harrington, who clinched last year's title in a playoff with Vijay Singh and Joe Ogilvie, was at five under for the tournament after nine holes.

Japan's Ryuji Imada, joint leader at the start of the day with Toms, Ogilvy and Swede Mathias Gronberg, slipped back to four under after a 73.

Among the other big names, twice runner-up Davis Love III returned a 73 to finish at one under, one better than 1993 winner Fred Couples, after a second consecutive 72.

Reuters PG VP0337