Luis Carbonetti set the clubhouse pace in the second round of the Van Lanschot Senior Open with a four under par 68 to open up a three stroke lead.
The 57 year old Argentine, who started the round one stroke behind his elder brother and overnight leader Horacio, made a flying start with six birdies in his opeining 13 holes but dropped shots on the 15th and 17th at The Royal Haagsche Golf and Country Club, in The Netherlands.
He is seven under par for the tournament with former Ryder Cup Gordon J Brand, Ross Drummond and George Ryall all on four under.
“I played very well today apart from the last four holes,” he said. “I’m very happy because it is a tough course and seven under after two rounds is a good score. You have to stay on the fairway and the greens are not easy.
“I will go into the final round with much confidence. Sadly it looks as if my brother is not going to be playing with me tomorrow.
Carbonetti is in contention for the second time in three weeks after playing in the final group in The De Vere Collection Seniors PGA Championship, where he failed to capitalise with a closing 79 to eventually settle for a share of 19th place.
“My last round at Slaley Hall was terrible. On the first nine I lost many places. It is important for me to do well here to play in The Senior Open Championship, otherwise I’ll have to pre-qualify. I need a good tournament.
“I’d like to take the picture of the leaderboard now but I think nine under will be good enough tomorrow.”
Cabonetti has won three times on the European Senior Tour but not since 2005 when he held off the challenge of his brother to capture the Tobago Plantations Seniors Classic.
With the weather in The Hague often resembling a Caribbean Island, Drummond turned up the heat with a superb round of 67 – the lowest of the week so far, posting seven birdies and two bogeys.
Englishman Ryall, fresh from finishing tied fifth in Bad Ragaz last week, also move up the leaderboard with a round of 68, while Brand joined him on four under par following a 71.
