Villegas delighted with late birdie blitz

By Norman Dabell

SOUTHPORT (Reuters) - An inspired late run of five birdies in a row helped Camilo Villegas launch a British Open title charge in Friday's second round.

The 26-year-old Colombian blitzed his way to a five-under 65 and a one-over total of 141 to move within one stroke of early leader Greg Norman.

Villegas, making his debut in the championship because American Kenny Perry decided to skip the event, wielded a red-hot putter as he claimed eight birdies on the second day at Royal Birkdale.

After using up 34 putts in his opening 76, Villegas needed only 23 in a round that was two shy of American Jodie Mudd's 1991 course-record 63.

"I had an awful putting round yesterday and an unbelievable putting round today," he told reporters.

"I'm here because Kenny Perry decided not to come, I'm glad he didn't. I hit a pitching wedge 176 yards at the last and that tells you how funky it is to play golf round here."

Villegas, who plays mostly in the U.S. but has yet to record a win on the PGA Tour, bogeyed the first two holes in windy conditions at the Lancashire links course but his putter soon rescued his day.

"Yesterday everything was bad, my speed, my short putts so I told myself don't think about it, just let the putter head do the work not my hands," he said.