Frenchman Gregory Bourdy has thrown down the gauntlet to his rivals with an impressive 66 on the second day of the centenary Spanish Open in Seville.
The Bordeaux-born Bourdy bravely battled the windly best to move to five under par and one stroke clear of the field at five under par on the Real Club de Golf de Sevilla course.
Bourdy birdied two of his opening three holes than four of his closing six in a best round since a similar 66 on day three in the Andalucian Open earlier this year.
Bordeaux-born Gregory Bourdy sets the pace in Seville. (Photo - Fran Caffrey/www.golffile,ie)
“I am very happy with how I have handled these two days because this has been two of the toughest days we’ve had on the tour this year,” said the 30-year old.
“I feel good also because I have not made a score like this in these sort of conditions for a long time.
“So it’s good for my confidence heading to the weekend and for the tournaments coming.”
Bourdy’s previous victories on the European Tour include 2007 Majorca Classic, 2008 Estoril Open de Portugal and the 2009 UBS Hong Kong Open.
He’s also won Euro 3.798m in his career and would break through the Euro 4m prize money barrier with victory in the ancient city of Seville.
However there is four players tied in second place on four under par and another two dozen within five shots of the lead who will be looking also to capture the Euro 333,330 first prize cheque.
Among them is England’s Robert Rock and Italy’s Matteo Manassero and both at four under par.
The World No. 60 ranked Rock carded a 72 as he looks to cement his place in next week’s U.S. Open in San Francisco.
However the winner of this year’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship has this week’s event and next fortnight’s Volvo Match-Play Championship to cement his place in a second straight U.S. Open before cut-off for qualification on May 21st.
Manassero is lying 64th in the world and needs to finish top-seven this week in Seville to be assured also of returning to the U.S. Open after finishing 45th last year at Congressional.
“I seem to be always trying lately to be trying to get myself into a Major,” said the 19-year old Manassero.
“I missed out on the Masters and I’m now four places on the rankings from making the U.S Open but the good thing is that I am again in contention and that’s all I can do.
“This also is my last chance as I am first reserve into the Volvo World Match-Play Championship next fortnight.”
