Norman’s Double-Eagle Lifts Him to 2-Stroke Lead in Australian Open : Golf: His ‘perfect shot’ from 279 yards away helps him record a 4-under 68 for the day. Three players are tied for second.

Greg Norman got the first double-eagle of his career today, holing out from 279 yards with a three-wood, en route to a 4-under-par 68 that gave him a two-stroke lead after two rounds of the Australian Open.

Norman, whose 3-under par effort came on the fifth hole, also chipped in from 25 yards for an eagle on No. 15. He had a 36-hole total of 138.

Jeff Maggert of the United States and Australians Brett Ogle and Peter Lonard were tied for second.

Maggert and Ogle had 69s today on the 7,080-yard The Australian Club course. Lonard had a 70.

“I feel good,” Norman said. “I had a good night’s rest and my concentration wasn’t clicking on and off. I’ve got no reason to be uptight about anything. I guess holing a 279-yard shot with a three-wood would make anyone feel pretty good.

“Any time you do something for the first time, it feels wonderful. I saw it go in--it was a perfect shot. The ball never left the line of the flag and rolled in like a putt.”

Norman also had a birdie and two bogeys.

Vijay Singh of Fiji, who shared the first-round lead with Chris Gray of Australia, shot a 72 to fall three shots behind Norman. Gray slumped to 147 after a round of 78.

British Open and Masters champion Nick Faldo had a 70 and was six shots off the pace.

“If I play well on the weekend, don’t make any mistakes and make a few more birdies, I’ll be up there,” Faldo said.

Maggert birdied four of the first eight holes but went on to bogey three holes while adding two more birdies.

Ogle, who won the Australian PGA championship last week, putted superbly for five birdies and two bogeys.

“I’m swinging well and I’m comfortable out there,” Ogle said.