Goggin and Perry share halfway Memorial lead

By Andrew Both

DUBLIN, Ohio (Reuters) - Mathew Goggin made a dream start to the second round at the Memorial tournament on Friday but the rest of the day was more like a nightmare.

The sweet-swinging Australian threatened to leave the field for dead with four birdies in the first five holes, but strong, gusty winds and lack of course knowledge took their toll at demanding Muirfield Village.

He eventually carded 72 to share the halfway lead with American Kenny Perry (71) at seven-under-par 137, one stroke ahead of American Jerry Kelly and two in front of Englishman Luke Donald.

"I didn't know what was going on to be honest but it just got windier and windier and tougher and tougher," said Goggin, making his first appearance in the event.

"Not having the experience on this course, I made a few mental mistakes and left a couple of shots in bad positions or misjudged the wind."

Goggin's round comprised seven birdies, five pars, five bogeys and a double bogey at the par-three 12th, where he put a six-iron into the pond guarding the green.

He was not dissatisfied with his performance.

"Having seven birdies and shooting even par, you're (usually) disappointed but the way the round went, it's still pretty satisfying," he said. "You're still around the lead, so that's all you can ask for really."

Goggin, 33, has not won in seven seasons on the PGA Tour, primarily because his putting has not matched the quality of his long game.

However, he has been close to breaking through several times this season and is trying to remain patient for that elusive maiden victory.

Perry, playing in the extremely difficult afternoon conditions, recovered from a dismal three bogeys in the first five holes.

He stemmed the bleeding with an eagle at his sixth hole, the par-five 15th, where he pitched in from 35 yards.

"I hit the shot of my life to keep the ship from sinking," said the two-time Memorial champion.

"That gave me some momentum, turned the round around and lifted my spirits. I hung in there and played okay from then on.

"It was brutal out there, so I'm very mentally tired right now. That was a very stressful round, trying to keep it together."