Matteo Manassero takes halfway lead at the Nordea Masters – Golf news
Matteo Manassero continued draining birdies on the back nine of the Bro Hof Slott Golf Club, on day two, to take a two-stroke halfway lead at the Nordea Masters.
The Italian, who became the youngest winner of the BMW PGA Championship last week, started his campaign on day one with straight six birdies on the back nine of the course, which in the end, played a key role in his opening round’s six-under par score.
The second round witnessed him making a decent start, as he recorded three birdies against a lone bogey to reach the turn in two-under.
On the back nine of the course, he once again picked up pace and birdied four of the first five holes that he played, followed by another birdie putt on the 17th hole. At the end of the day, he found himself accumulating a 13-under par tournament score.
Mikko Ilonen, in the meantime, needed only 30 strokes to post an emphatic nine-under par 63, to take the second spot on the leaderboard. Pete Whiteford of Scotland also posted a 63, courtesy of his eight birdies and an amazing eagle, to take hold of the
third position.
Manassero, who is the only European Tour player who recorded three victories during his teenage, was really pleased to have replicated his opening round performance, especially on the back nine.
Talking to the European Tour’s official website, the Italian also said that the playing conditions were really favourable to the players.
“It was nice after the start to be able to come back and shoot another great score, so I’m glad the way the day has gone,” said Manassero. “I like that nine – they are holes where you can gain or lose many shots, and if you can gain it’s a big gap. The conditions
are absolutely perfect.”
Andrew Dodt, in the meantime, became the first player in the history of the European Tour to record two hole-in-ones in a single round. He aced the seventh and the 11th hole, to brighten his chances of making the cut, which he accomplished by gaining a shot
on the 18th hole.
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