Scotland’s David Drysdale is looking to draw on season-long Scottish golf feel good factor after posting his best round in four years on day two of the KLM Open at Zandvoort.
In weather more akin to the opposite side of the North Sea Drysdale needed just 24 putts in a round of a six-under par 64 to move into sixth spot on seven under par.
Dyrsdale’s effort of an eagle and seven birdies, including three in succession from his 13th, is his lowest score since a similar 64 on day two of the 2009 BMW International Open in Munich.
David Drysdale looking to draw on the success of Scottish golfers this year. (Photo – Stuart Adams/www.golftourimages.com)
It left the 38-year old trailing just two shots behind the Spanish duo of Miguel Angel Jimenez (67) and Pablo Larrazabal (66) who head the field on nine under par.
Three players including former KLM Open champion Simon Dyson (63) and Ross Fisher (65) and Frenchman Julien Quesne (65) share second place on eight under par.
Jimenez is looking to win a second Dutch title 19 years after a first while Dyson has had two KLM Open and both on this Kennermer course.
Dysdale got his round off the a flyer when he landed a 198-yard 6-iron to six feet and hole the putt for eagle at the third hole of his round.
Despite an ailing back he then birdied his sixth and eighth hole ahead of sinking birdie putts of eight feet at the13th, 20 foot at next and five feet at his 15th.
However he managed to hole an eight foot bogey at his 17th ahead of a good 12-footer for par as he continues to seek a first Race to Dubai success.
“It was a great score I shot today as it was tough out there, wet and it was blowing as hard as it has all week, so I am delighted with that score,” said Drysdale.
“I made a lot of putts today and that was the key.
“I woke up again today with a stiff back and while I didn’t play well yesterday I managed to turn it around today.”
Drysdale has been out on the Tour full-time since for over 11 years and contested his 300th event last June in Munich.
However with just seven top-3 finishes Drysdale’s says his spirit is being lifted by some super Scottish golf this year with Scott Jamieson and Stephen Gallacher winning early, Marc Warren’s near miss at Wentworth, Catriona Matthew’s recent double Scottish Ladies Open win, Colin Montgomerie’s first Seniors success and Craig Lee’s superb Swiss showing last week.
“Scottish golf is on a real high at the moment and there is a ‘feel good’ factor this season,” he said.
“Craig played fantastic last week while Scott Jamieson and Stevie Gallacher have won and then Stevie went close in winning at Gleneagles.
“It was great seeing Catronia winning again and superb to see Scott Henry go so close also at Gleneagles as he showed a lot of guts that week.
“And what has been great is to look down the Tour’s webpage and see the number of Scottish flags up there every week.
“I’ve been doing alright this year but then it would be great to get the Tartan flag up there on the top come Sunday afternoon.”
Helensburgh’s Gary Orr is next best posting a 70 to remain on five under par but missing the cut was Lee.
The near hero last week in Switzerland posting a 72 that did include holing a 25-foot chip shot for an eagle two at the par four sixth hole for a one over par tally.
“I’m just out of puff and I’ve been running on the smell of an oily rag these last two days,” said Lee.
“I’ve now got a week off to recharge the batteries and get myself ready for the Dunhill that I’m really looking forward to.”
