Spain’s evergreen Miguel Angel Jimenez, and the oldest player in the Austrian Open field at age 56 years and six months, leads the way to the weekend by two shots with scores of 68 and 65 for an 11-under par on the Diamond Resort course near Vienna.

The golfer affectionately known as ‘The Mechanic’ already holds the record as the oldest Tour winner being aged 50 years, 133 days old when he won the 2014 Open de Espana and adding to efforts in landing a 34^th pro career victory is Jimenez’s familiarity with all things Austrian.

He said:  “It’s relaxing being here. I lived here for a few years, my wife is from here. Now we live in the Dominican but I’ve been a resident here for four years, now on the Champions Tour I moved mybase, but I love the place.

Six birdies in 9 holes. Miguel goes out in just 31 shots.#AustrianOpen pic.twitter.com/nj3nM4D1xq

— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) July 10, 2020

“I love Austria and Vienna. We have a house in Bad Waltersdorf. When I’m not competing, we’re in this part of the world; we spend time here, time in Malaga, I’m a world citizen (smiling)”.

Five players – the Scotland pair of Marc Warren (69) and Craig Howie (69) along with Dutchman Joost Luiten (70), Italian Renato Paratore (67) and Germany’s Nicolai Von Dellingshausen – share second place at nine-under par

Warren continues to carry his own clubs, and in a special COVID-19 related Tour ruling, as he looks to end a six-year winless drought in the Austrian Open near Vienna.

Warren, 39 grabbed four birdies in a second round five-under 67 to into a share of fourth place at nine-under par in the joint European and Challenge Tour event.

Warren has not tasted success since capturing a third Tour title at the 2014 Made in Denmark and with the win sending him to a career high of 64^th on the World Rankings and in teeing-up in the Austrian hills, Warren has slide to 1,258^th in the rankings.

He said:  “The course was calm and you could make a few birdies early on so overall, it was a pretty solid day, nothing overly spectacular but pleased with a solid round again.

“So, with no caddy this week there’s no one to moan at if you get a club wrong.

“It’s trying to keep on top of the other stuff, making sure there’s water in the bag – especially in conditions like today – which I’ve been taking for granted over the last 15 or so years.

“Next time I’ve got a caddie on the bag I might go a little easier on him (laughing).”