Valero Texas Open round two: Anyone here speak Swedish?

Wonder what language the leading threesome will be using during Saturday’s round? Can’t be many times four Swedes have defied gravity to head a PGA Tour leaderboard.

Jesper Parnevik doesn’t look as if he’s ready anytime soon to give up his commanding position, the lowest half-way score this season and in competition history. Was it a Freudian slip or a declaration of intent when he expressed the earnest hope that Richard S Johnson would be able to come second?

Parnevik has a bit of history on his side: this tournament has a habit of rewarding second-round leaders and last had a wire-to-wire winner - Justin Leonard - as recently as 2001. But he can’t afford to relax: Bart Bryant, who struggled with an even par round Friday, came from five behind at the half way stage to win in 2004.

On current performance those most likely to succeed are indeed Johnson and Fredrik Jacobson, who are both combining first class accuracy off the tee with good approach work and a hot putter. Stats wise it’s a close run thing between them and Parnevik and it could come down to who can keep the hottest putter going this weekend.

The other player showing almost similar aptitude on this track, somewhat surprisingly, is Shigeki Maruyama, who is clearly aware of his perilous position on the money list. Strikes me though that his biggest handicap this weekend could be a lack of Swedish.