Scotland’s Marc Warren remained a picture of consistency on day two of the 77th Italian Open in Brescia.
Warren 39, birdied the same opening four holes on the scorecard as he had done on day one in adding a 67 to his first day 66 and moved to seven-under par on the Chervo course.
The effort handed the Glaswegian, and reigning Austrian Open champ, the joint leading Scot role heading to the weekend rounds.
He said: “Yes, it was good to birdie the same front nine holes again today as there are par-5s at the fourth and sixth holes and where I’ve hit really good drives these two rounds.
Marc Warren join leading Scot heading to closing two rounds at the 77th Italian Open
“My tee shot on six today was a good chance for an eagle while the birdies on one and three, I just put myself in good positions off the tee.
“Overall, I drove the ball well again today, like yesterday. My iron play was a little bit sloppy at times but I did hit a lot of greens today and that was better than yesterday and only the one bogey which was good.”
And Warren was full of compliments for Scott Jamieson’s initial reaction to his ace at the second hole of the opening day, and with Jamieson nor anyone in his group knowing he had aced the hole until seeing the ball in the bottom of the cup.
Warren said: “I caught-up with Scott after the round and remarked to him how miserable he looked (laughing)
“No, seriously he handled it well and the European Tour handled it well setting-up that ‘no emotion’ video clip after his round and given he and his playing partners did not see his ball go into the hole. So, Scott took it well.”
Jamieson added a 69 to be tied with his fellow Scot at seven-under.
Kingsbarns Links Daniel Young posted a second straight bogey-free round, and a 70, to be at six-under and the assurance of making the cut for just a fourth occasion in nine main Tour events this year.
Laurie Canter continues to lead the way posting a second round 68 and moving two shots clear at 16-under par.
Fellow Englishman Ross McGowan posted a 64 to move into second place on 14-under par.
Defending champ, Bernd Wiesberger and the highest ranked in the event at No. 35 in the world, signed for a 68 to be in a group at nine-under as also last year’s Scottish Open champ seeks form ahead of a fifth Masters appearance.
He said: “I’m playing just 50% at the moment and just can’t get anything golf.
“I had a couple of rough weeks with my game in defending in Scotland and then a week later at Wentworth, and where I didn’t play as I wanted to in those bigger events which, to me, was most important.
“The key event for me is now Augusta so I want to be able to just go out and play and don’t care really much about it and hopefully the real competitive juices will kick in at some point.
“So, I’m trying to play as though I’m playing with my mates but then it’s still not there where I want it 100% to be.”
