Spaniard Nacho Elvira shot a sizzling 62 to take the lead at the halfway point of the Made in HimmerLand tournament on the DP World Tour event in Denmark.
Ireland’s only rep at the event, John Murphy, missed the cut after an ordinary 70 when a lot of players went way lower.
Spaniard Elvira opened with a one under 69 in testing conditions at HimmerLand but moved to nine under and into the lead on day two, mainly thanks to a sublime front nine.
He started with a birdie on the par four first before a par at the second was followed by gains at the next five holes as the 2021 Cazoo Open winner made the turn in 29.
The 36-year-old gave a shot back at the par five 11th – statistically one of the hardest holes on the course – but bounced back with birdies at the 12th, 14th and 17th to move one clear of first round leader Robert MacIntyre, who is now second on eight under thanks to a two under 68.
England’s Ross Fisher sits third on seven under par following a three under 67 on day two, while MacIntyre is joined in contention by a strong Scottish contingent going into the weekend, with countrymen Richie Ramsay and Marc Warren, the 2014 winner of this event, sharing fourth place on six under after both posting rounds of 64.
German pair Freddy Schott and Marcel Siem, already a winner on the 2023 Race to Dubai, also posted rounds of 64 to join Daan Huizing, of the Netherlands, in a share of sixth on five under.
Speaking to reporters after his brilliant 62, Elvira said: “That was what I call a quick start. From one to seven, I hit the ball really, really well. I hit it really close to a foot on one, to two feet on three, three feet on four, so the golf was really good from one to six. Then I tried to be patient and managed to get two or three more birdies on the scorecard and I did.
“[On the 11th] It says a par five on the scorecard but it’s not, it’s a par six. I’m happy with a bogey there. It’s just a very tough hole. It’s playing into the wind, it’s very long and even though it’s a par five, it’s not a gimme.
“This game takes a lot from you, especially mentally, and I really feel like things are turning around. Today is a really good day but things are turning around. It’s been a tough season, very slow, changing many things, many things have been happening in my life but I’m pleased with where I’m at.”
Last week’s runner-up, Robert MacIntyre is showing consistent form and is just one shot behind Elvira.
He said: “It was solid. Really good opening nine. Putted it nicely but the putter just went a wee bit cold on the back nine but, all-in-all, it was solid after yesterday’s round to come out and shoot a reasonable number. It’s all positive.
“It felt easier but you’ve still got to hit the shots. There are more chances when the wind’s not pumping but I’d expect lower scoring and that’s what you’re seeing.”
Source: Irish Golfer