Kaymer extends advantage

Ryder Cup hero Martin Kaymer extended his lead with a second round of 69 in The Players Championship at Sawgrass on Friday.

Kaymer held a two shot advantage overnight thanks to his course record-equalling 63 on Thursday and was five clear of the field after posting a halfway total of 132, 12 under par.

The former World Number One had birdied his last four holes in the opening round and was soon making further progress when he holed from 25 feet on the third, but dropped his first shot of the week on the seventh after driving into a fairway bunker.

A birdie on the ninth took the 29 year old out in 35 and three more birdies and one bogey on the back nine ensured Kaymer - who secured the point to ensure Europe retained the Ryder Cup in 2012 - set a testing target for the later starters.

American Kevin Chappell was making the biggest move of the second day with seven birdies, an eagle and two bogeys in his first 13 holes taking him to seven under alongside compatriot Russell Henley, who had yet to begin his round.

Lee Westwood was a shot behind after opening with a birdie on the tenth, his first hole of the day, with fellow Englishman Brian Davis in the clubhouse on five under following a 67.

Davis carded an eagle and five birdies, including one on the iconic par three 17th where he ran up a double bogey on Thursday after hitting his tee shot into the water short of the island green.

Kaymer, who won the US PGA Championship in August 2010 and became World Number One the following February, said: "It was very difficult today.<br /><br />"It was a little tougher, especially when you shoot such a low score, your expectations are very high and you need to find a way to lower those expectations and see it as a new day, so 69 was a very good score today. The pins were in some corners and it was more windy so I am very pleased."<br /><div><br />
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