Goggin retains lead after rollercoaster round

By Andrew Both

DUBLIN, Ohio (Reuters) - Mathew Goggin squandered a great start but still held the clubhouse lead after his second round at the Memorial tournament on Friday.

The Australian birdied four of the first five holes but it was tough work after that and he limped home with an even-par 72 in difficult, breezy conditions at Muirfield Village.

Goggin posted a seven-under 137 halfway total, one stroke ahead of American Jerry Kelly, who also shot 72, while Australians Geoff Ogilvy and Nick O'Hern and Americans Matt Kuchar and Steve Lowery were at four-under 140.

"I holed a 20-footer from off the green at the first," said Goggin, making his first appearance in the event. "I holed a 25-footer at the next and a 15-footer at the next.

"I didn't know what was going on...but I think that it just got windier and windier and tougher and tougher and not having the experience on this course, I make a few mental mistakes and left a couple of shots in bad positions or misjudged the wind."

Kelly, who played with Goggin, was much steadier, notching three birdies and three bogeys.

He almost holed out for eagle with a six-iron at the par-four first, settling for a birdie and hit it close at the next two holes as well, only to miss the putts.

"Once the wind picked up, the swing got a little sloppy," Kelly said. "I started reacting to the wind rather just swinging."

(Editing by Clare Lovell)