Jordan Gumberg leads at the halfway stage of the Farmfoods Scottish Challenge supported by the R&A after a second round 64 at Newmachar Golf Club.
Preferred lies were in operation after heavy overnight rain with Gumberg one of a three players to record a seven under par round of 64 to move to nine under par, one clear of Northern Ireland’s Jonathan Caldwell.
The 28-year-old American’s round included six birdies and an eagle at the par five 16th after hitting a nine iron to 25 feet and subsequently holing the putt.
“I played well a couple of weeks ago in Ireland so I am trying to ride that wave. I holed very little yesterday so it was nice to see some putts go in,” he said.
Caldwell, who won the 2021 Scandinavian Mixed on the DP World Tour, followed his opening round 66 with a three under par 68 as he goes in search of a return to the top tier.
“It’s really about keeping it in the fairway. I haven’t hit a lot of drivers this week - it’s not the longest of courses but if you hit it in the trees, you’re hitting out sideways,” he said.
“I’ve been in the final few groups in the last couple of weeks so my game is getting better and better and I’m looking forward to another late tee time tomorrow.”
Scots David Law and Sandy Scott are a shot further back on seven under par. Law, currently ranked 109th on the Race to Dubai Presented by Rolex is taking the opportunity to this week play at home as he looks to shake off some rust ahead of a return to the DP World Tour.
The Aberdeen native carried the support of his young daughter who walked with him for most of his round along with a contingent of home supporters.
The day concluded with Welshman Oliver Farr recording a walk-off hole in one on his final hole of the day at the ninth - his first as a professional.
“It was a perfect shot. 178 yards, eight iron. It was the perfect way to finish a round,” said Farr, who graduated from the Challenge Tour in 2019.
The cut fell at two under par, with 62 players surviving to compete over the weekend. The final group will get their third round under way at 11.48am local time.
