Damien McGrane remained in position to capture a second European Tour success after finishing with a one stroke lead at the completion of the second round in the weather affected Hassan II Trophy in Morocco.
The ‘no frills’ Irish golfer played superbly in saving par from a fairway bunker down the last hole in a round of a four under par 68 to move to 11-under par on the Golf du Palasis Royal course in Agadir.
McGrane, who’s only Tour success was the 2008 China Open, had commenced his second round at 5.30pm local time Friday after an earlier five-and-a-half hour delay to the start of play due to high winds.
However poor light meant McGrane could only play five holes before returning to the course at 8.15am local time and then managing to pick up four birdies in a bogey free display to lead Welshman Phillip Price who had completed his round with a 66 the day before.
“It was a pretty tidy and steady 13 holes this morning and I managed to sneak four birdies in there and to finish with strong par as the last gives me good feelings going into this afternoon,” said McGrane.
“So keeping bogeys off the card around this course is a good achievement and I am content now, I must admit.”
Once the second round is complete, tour officials were intending to commence the third round of the Euro 1.5m event that should end near lunch on Sunday.
It’s then intended to conduct a two-tee start for the fourth and final day’s play.
While McGrane has just one European Tour success he is one of the more consistent players having also recorded two previous seconds, three thirds and 21 other top-10s and earning more than Euro 4m in his 10-year career.
And McGrane was fortunately to have been able to sit out the still windy conditions when play eventually commenced at 1pm on Friday.
“You could say I was on the right side of the draw and while the wind definitely died down when I teed off at 5.30pm it swings around out here,” he said.
“So if luck is on my side then thank be God!”
And in contrast to McGrane’s 11-under par tally Moroccan amateur, Mustapha El Maquas, who played alongside the Irishman for the first two rounds, recorded a second round 79 for an 11-over par tally.
