Golf: Short game suits Fraser

JOINT leader Marcus Fraser attributed his second-round five-under-par 63 at the Madrid Masters to his in-form short game.

The 30-year-old Australian holed a chip at the third hole for one of eight birdies at the Club de Campo to be well placed going into the weekend on nine under par alongside South African Charl Schwartzel.

Fraser, who is set to return home to Melbourne after playing the Castellon Masters in two weeks' time for the birth of his child, said it was a refreshing change to play a slightly shorter course than usual. "I like the course," he said. "It's a bit shorter than other weeks, not so much of a slog-fest, which suits me well because it tests your short game."

Asked how he could have three bogeys on his card and still be five under, Fraser replied: "Yes it was a bit all over the place but that's typical Fraser."