Fraser goes seriously low at Italian Open
Marcus Fraser rocketed into a tie for the lead at the Italian Open after a scintillating second-round 62 on Friday.
The Australian fired nine birdies – including five in a row from the eighth – in a bogey-free round to take his total to 13 under par.
That put him level at the top of the leaderboard with Englishman Matt Wallace, who followed up his opening 64 with another top-class round of 65 at Golf Club Milano.
The duo are two strokes clear of nearest challengers Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand and Welshman Jamie Donaldson, who both posted 67s in the afternoon.
Holing out for eagle from 50 feet…
Yes @kiradech 👏 pic.twitter.com/bRn7junIsX
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) October 13, 2017
Defending champion and overnight leader Francesco Molinari fell off the pace somewhat after a 68, but still finds himself only three shots back.
Masters Champion Sergio Garcia and last week’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship winner Tyrrell Hatton were then among a large group on nine under.
No one topped Fraser’s performance on the day, as his putter went red-hot, with birdies flying thick and fast as he mastered the greens.
What a finish. What a round!#ItalianOpen pic.twitter.com/hBgmdwe6Gs
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) October 13, 2017
“To come and do that today, I’m pretty proud of myself and it’s quite reassuring that I still can play golf,” he said.
“I felt like I’ve putted well and scrambled well this week.
“Today I took it to a new level with the putter.
“I felt like I putted well yesterday and I probably out-did it today.”
Latest
-
News
Tiger Woods focusing on return to PGA Tour after undergoing fifth back operation
The 45-year-old will miss the Farmers Insurance Open and the Genesis Invitational.
-
News
Lee Westwood resumes bid for record-equalling 11th Ryder Cup appearance
The 47-year-old occupied one of the automatic places in the team before the golf was stopped due to Covid-19.
-
News
Solheim Cup captain Catriona Matthew turns to Golfer’s CBD in pursuit of further success
Solheim Cup captain Catriona Matthew believes Golfer’s CBD could play a vital role in her future success.
-
News
Sponsor Ralph Lauren drops Justin Thomas following homophobic slur in Hawaii
The world number three uttered the derogatory word towards himself after missing a putt at Kapalua last weekend.
-
News
Bryson DeChambeau keeping brain relaxed to avoid repeat of Masters misery
DeChambeau said his brain went into overdrive at Augusta National.
-
News
European Tour preparing for business as planned in the Middle East
Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship is due to start next week.
-
News
Two-time major champion Angel Cabrera arrested in Brazil
The former US Open and Masters winner was on the run from the law.
-
News
On this Day in 2013: Paul McGinley given Ryder Cup captaincy
McGinley would go on to be involved in a sixth Ryder Cup victory.
-
News
Collin Morikawa keen to draw inspiration from family ties to Hawaii at Sony Open
Venezuela’s Jhonattan Vegas has withdrawn from the event after testing positive for coronavirus.
-
News
R&A: ‘No plans’ for Open to head to Donald Trump-owned Turnberry in near future
Trump National in Bedminster was on Sunday stripped of next year’s US PGA Championship.