England’s David Horsey shot a second round 68 for a two stroke lead at the halfway stage in the Russian Open near Moscow.
Horsey, 29 dropped two shots in his first four holes but then birdied four of his closing six holes to move to 11-under par on the Tseleevo Golf and Polo Club course.
The double European Tour winner and Callaway staff player, and just one of three players inside the world’s top-200 competing in the Russian capital, is clear of Belgium rookie Thomas Pieters who added a similar 68 to move to nine under par.
Callaway’s David Horsey jumps to a two shot lead after two rounds of the M2M Russian Open. (Photo – www.europantour.com)
Scotland’s Peter Whiteford, and looking for his first Tour success in his 181st tournament, signed for a second day 71 to be in third place at seven under and one shot clear of four players, including compatriot Scott Jamieson (72) at six under par.
Also at six under par is India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar (71), Germany’s Maximilian Kieffer (71), England’s Gary Boyd (68) and Spaniard Nacho Elvira (69).
Horsey has not tasted success since capturing the 2011 Hassan 11 Trophy in Morocco but after major swing changes at the commencement this year to his sixth full European Tour season the former Walker Cup player is quietly confident of success in Russia.
“I got off to a slow start but I managed to bounce back well,” he said.
“I tried to do the same as yesterday and stick to my game plan and now worry about much else.
“Dropping a couple of shots early on as I did is always disappointing, but I knew there’d be plenty of birdies chances coming in and I just needed to stay patient and keep giving myself birdie putts.”
Pieters, 22 is contesting his 18th tour event this year after graduation onto the main Tour from last November’s Qualifying School.
The Belgium turned professional 13 months ago and is managed by the same firm handling the business affairs of 14-time Major winning Tiger Woods.
However Pieters has only managed to make the halfway cut in five events this year with his best finish being runner-up in May’s Spanish Open.
Whiteford went close to a maiden Tour win last year in losing out in a play-off for the Ballantine’s Championship in South Korea.
Now the 33-year old, who has won five times on lessor tour’s, has put himself into contention again for a breakthrough success on the European Tour.
“My start today was shocking as my first tee shot went straight into the rubbish, and I was four over par after five holes,” he said.
“But it was a good fight back.”
