Jacquelin takes over at the top
Frenchman Raphael Jacquelin holds a one-shot lead heading into the weekend at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
Jacquelin posted a two-under-par 70 at Kingsbarns in Friday’s second round to add to his first-round 65, moving him to nine under par overall.
He holds a one-shot lead over four others – Irishman Shane Lowry and Padraig Harrington, overnight leader Oliver Wilson and another Frenchman, Alexander Levy.
“I’m pretty happy, especially the way I finished. I birdied 17 and 18, so it was good before having dinner and going to rest,” Jacquelin told the European Tour website.
“I didn’t play that well, and not as well as yesterday, but it was not that easy, a bit of wind, a bit of rain, a bit of cold as well.
“I feel good – it’s a long weekend, a lot of golf to play, so the game of golf it’s not that easy.”
The Alfred Dunhill is played over three courses – Kingsbarns, St Andrews and Carnoustie – with players negotiating each course once over the first three days before everyone returns to the old course at St Andrews for the final round.
Kingsbarns appeared to be the most conducive to scoring on Friday, with all but one of the top 10 on the leaderboard having played there on the day.
Further down the leaderboard, Ryder Cup hero Rory McIlroy was much improved following his opening round 73, carding a 67 at Kingsbarns to move up to four under par.
Five shots of Jacquelin’s lead, he could still well be a factor at the weekend.
Fellow European hero Martin Kaymer was less successful, however, with rounds of 74 and 72 leaving him on two over par – well off the pace.
Victorious captain Paul McGinley, making his playing return, posted rounds of 72 and 70 to lie on two under par.
The best performer from last week’s Ryder Cup heroes was Scotland’s Stephen Gallacher, who added a 70 at Kingsbarns to his first-round 68 to lie on six under par, just three off the lead.
Latest
-
European TourIan Poulter among three LIV Golf Series players to get Scottish Open reprieve
Poulter, Adrian Otaegui and Justin Harding have had their suspensions temporarily stayed.
-
NewsGraeme McDowell shocked by people wishing him dead since switching to LIV Golf
The 2010 US Open champion acknowledged his switch to LIV was “about the money”.
-
PGA TourJT Poston completes wire-to-wire victory at John Deere Classic
England’s Callum Tarren bogeyed two of his last four holes en route to a one-under 70 as he was forced to settle for equal-sixth place.
-
European TourAdrian Meronk makes history for Poland as David Law celebrates Open berth
Meronk’s flying finish made him his country’s first winner on the DP World Tour.
-
NewsPaul Casey becomes latest player to join LIV Golf series
He opted out of the inaugural Saudi International on the European Tour in 2019 citing concerns over the country’s human rights record.
-
European TourAdrian Meronk has the edge as he aims to make Tour history for Poland
A third round of 68 at Mount Juliet means a one-shot advantage on a crowded leaderboard.
-
European TourShane Lowry birdies last four holes to make Irish Open cut
Jorge Campillo tops the leaderboard at the midway point.
-
European TourKeith Pelley hits back at 16 players threatening DP World Tour with legal action
Pelley says the sanctions against players who competed in the first LIV Golf event are ‘proportionate’ and ‘fair’.
-
PGA TourJT Poston takes two-shot lead at John Deere Classic
The 29-year-old also became the first player on record to open consecutive Tour events with 62 or better.
-
European TourRyan Fox surprised to be leading after opening round of Horizon Irish Open
The New Zealander carded a flawless 64 to set the pace at Mount Juliet.