French rookie Michael Lorenzo-Vera shook off a poor night’s sleep and an attack of nerves to maintain a narrow one-shot lead at the China Open yesterday.
The 23-year-old battled to three-under 69 for a two-day total of eight-under 136, ahead of England’s Richard Finch and Ireland’s Damien McGrane in the US$2.2 million tri-sanctioned event.
England’s Oliver Wilson, who posted the day’s best score of 66, is a further shot back in fourth place, while Austria’s defending champion Markus Brier is tied for fifth.
PHOTO: AFP
“I always look super-relaxed, but the hands are always shaking. It took nine holes to get relaxed. Normally it takes three holes, but not today,” said the leader after his rollercoaster seven birdies, two bogeys and a double bogey. “I suppose the weekend will be harder. Yesterday it was quite hard for me to get to sleep as I was thinking too much about what might happen. Maybe I will take pills to sleep.”
Finch, who won December’s New Zealand Open by three shots, was eyeing his second European title this season after another solid round.
“Yesterday I got off to a great start and that gave me a cushion to play well. I just have to stay patient now,” he said.
PHOTO: AFP
Home favorite and reigning Asian merit champion Liang Wenchong made up for his slow opening round 73 by reeling in six birdies against two bogeys to move five shots off the pace with a 68.
“I started really well with an opening birdie, followed by another on the third. In fact, most of the holes which I did not fare too well yesterday, I managed to improve on them today,” Liang said. “Obviously, tomorrow’s a very important day, not only for me but also for the others. I hope to improve on my scores. I think even if you are three or four strokes behind, it’s still possible to play catch-up. Anything can happen.”
Jason Knutzon of the US and England’s Zane Scotland and Simon Griffiths were level with Brier on 140, four off the lead at the par-72 Beijing CBD International Golf Course.
“This course can bite you any minute. You’ve got to keep trying as hard as you can. It is a difficult course,” Griffiths said.
“I didn’t really play exceptionally well, couple of good shots but difficult. It’s breezy and the greens are hard to read,” he said.
The cut was set at four-over par.
Also see: Three players share lead at the Heritage
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