Sam Hutsby impressed for the second straight day to open up a two-stroke lead at the halfway stage of the Italian Challenge Open at Argentario Golf Club.
The Englishman carded a four under par round of 67 on day two to move to 11 under par for the week, two clear of Spaniard Joel Moscatel, Englishman John Parry and Frenchman Oihan Guillamoundeguy who will conclude his second round on Saturday after play was suspended due to darkness.
Hustby, who will go in search of a third Challenge Tour title over the weekend, was delighted with his putting across the opening 36 holes in Tuscany.
“I’m very pleased with my two days of play,” he said. “It’s been bubbling over the last few weeks, but nothing has come together.
“I putted really nicely yesterday with ten birdies, probably through good iron play and capitalising on the chances I was giving myself, and that’s something I haven’t been doing the last few weeks.
“I think my game plan at the minute has been pretty good and I’ve been hitting the ball nicely, and like I said, the putter has been pretty hot.
“You just never know in this game, but I’ll have everything crossed and hope I can keep playing this kind of golf.”
Hustby started the day one off the lead, but four birdies in a seven-hole stretch on his front nine saw him climb into the lead for the first time before he mixed one birdie with his only bogey of the day on the back nine.
The 35-year-old currently sits just outside the Road to Mallorca promotion places in 27th and is hoping a strong outing over the weekend can boost his chances of graduation to golf’s Global Tour.
“I love being in this position and I’m looking forward to the challenge of the weekend,” he added. “It’s what we play for, but it doesn’t happen too often.
“We’ve only got a few events left this season and I know I’m just outside the promotion places so I need a good week somewhere. With this being one of the biggest events we’ve played so far, I’m happy I’ve put myself in this position, but I need to capitalise on that now.”
Spaniard Borja Virto, Portuguese Ricardo Santos and Irishman Conor Purcell share fifth place on eight under par, with South African Justin Walters one shot further back in eighth.
Round two will resume at 8:00am local time, with the third round not due to start before 10:30am.
