Otto claims three-stroke lead
Hennie Otto has a three-stroke lead at the halfway stage of the Italian Open after carding a second 62 in Turin on Friday.
The South African’s round would have been a course record at the Circolo Golf Torino but for placement being allowed on the fairways and included nine birdies, an eagle and a solitary bogey to reach 15-under par.
The 38-year-old takes a commanding lead into the third round, with Austria’s Bernd Wiesberger his closest challenger after finishing on 12-under thanks to a second round 66.
England’s Ross Fisher is in third place after carding a 66 as well, another three strokes further back on nine-under.
Francesco Molinari, who shared the lead with Wiesberger after the first round, fell away on Friday and lies nine shots off the lead at six-under after notching a 72 on the day.
“It’s always special to shoot a 62 but a 59 never even crossed my mind,” Otto told the European Tour’s official website after the round.
“I didn’t really think about my score until my caddie said if I made par on 17 we would have been on course for a ten under par round.”
“I really played well, hit some good shots and the greens were running well so you were able to make some putts.
“Something about courses in Italy suits my eye and it would be great to win the tournament. Hopefully I can keep it up and keep going over the weekend.”
Five players are tied for fourth place on eight-under-par.
They are Rafa Cabrero-Bello (63), James Morrison (66) David Lipsky (67), Morten Madsen (68) and Richie Ramsay (69).
On seven-under and in a tie for ninth place are seven more players, including Stephen Gallacher (65), Soren Hansen (66) and Mikko Korhonen (67).
Latest
-
NewsRyder Cup golfer Thorbjorn Olesen grabbed woman’s breast on flight, court told
Thorbjorn Olesen is said to have been drinking and taking sleeping pills on the flight from the US to the UK.
-
PGA TourCollin Morikawa throws away big lead as Viktor Hovland wins Hero World Challenge
Hovland began the day six shots off the pace but carded a closing 66 at Albany to secure his third title of the season.
-
NewsRory McIlroy: Players want to know where they stand amid golf’s power struggle
The Northern Irishman was speaking ahead of the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas.
-
NewsTiger Woods says he is ‘lucky to be alive’ after crash but has ‘long way to go’
The 45-year-old 15-time major winner was in pain throughout as he addressed his first press conference since February’s crash.
-
NewsTiger Woods rules out full-time return to golf after serious car crash
The 45-year-old required surgery on open fractures to his lower right leg after the single-vehicle accident in February.
-
The MastersLee Elder, the first black player to compete in the Masters, dies aged 87
Elder joined Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player as an honorary starter at Augusta National just over seven months ago.
-
Solheim CupSuzann Pettersen lands ‘dream’ job as Solheim Cup captain
The Norwegian will be going for a hat-trick of Europe wins after taking over from Catriona Matthew.
-
Ryder CupLee Westwood rules himself out of contention for 2023 Ryder Cup captaincy
Westwood says he cannot commit fully to the role while he is still competitive as a player.
-
European TourCollin Morikawa wins Race to Dubai as Rory McIlroy’s frustrations boil over
The Northern Irishman appeared to rip his shirt open in the recording area behind the 18th green.
-
NewsTiger Woods shares footage of him hitting balls as rehab continues
Woods was injured in a car accident in February.