An excellent five under par 66 handed Richard McEvoy the Le Vaudreuil Golf Challenge lead on 12 under par at the end of a day which was brought to a premature end due to heavy rainfall at Golf PGA France du Vaudreuil.
The Englishman leads by four shots at the end of the second day after torrential rain put a stop to proceedings at 16:36 local time with the greens becoming flooded. Several groups are still to complete their second rounds, which will resume on Saturday morning. Paul Maddy is McEvoy’s nearest challenger on eight under par, however he still has nine holes of his second round to play.
McEvoy, who held a one-shot first round lead, took full advantage of the benign conditions early on Day Two as he carded two birdies in as many holes to extend the gap at the top. He picked up a further three birdies before his first bogey of the week arrived on the par four 15th.
He signed off his second round with a superb gain on the final hole to put the pressure on the afternoon groups who were, rightfully as it transpired, wary about the forecast adverse weather conditions.
McEvoy described the morning conditions as ‘quite British’ before the heavy rain arrived and was pleased with his day’s work.
“I’m very pleased,” McEvoy said. “I got off to a really good start again this morning with two birdies in my first two holes.
“The weather was quite British out there today with a bit of drizzle early on and it was a bit cooler, which was really nice.
“My game was very solid again. I drove the ball great again, putted really nicely and for me, if you put those two together, a good score comes along.
“The little bit of rain made it a bit more receptive going into the greens and the fairways weren’t quite as firm and fast, but it was nice.
“We got great conditions this morning and we had the better of the greens as well having played early. I’m in a great position. I’ve had two lovely rounds but I’ve got two more to go yet.”
Last year’s SSE Scottish Hydro Challenge hosted by Macdonald Hotels and Resorts winner will continue to take each shot as it comes during the weekend, an approach which has paid dividends thus far.
“I’ve not really had a game plan this week,” he said. “It’s the old cliché but I’ve just hit each shot as it comes.
“I’ve been enjoying my golf. I like the golf course here; it sets up well to my eye and it just means standing up and hitting shot by shot – it’s worked well so far!
“I’ll be doing much the same over the weekend – just enjoying it, playing with a smile on my face and just playing to win.”
Maddy, who has two birdies from his nine second round holes, is followed by Scotsman Ross Kellett and Englishman Jamie Rutherford on seven under par, with the latter still having three holes to play.
The British pair are followed by the quartet of Christopher Mivis, Gavin Moynihan, Emilio Cuartero Blanco and Oliver Bekker on six under par, of whom only Mivis has completed his second round.
Poland’s Adrian Meronk provided the highlight of the day, carding an ace on the par three fifth when he found the hole with a pitching wedge from 134 yards.
Players will complete their second rounds from 7.30am local time on Saturday, with the third round scheduled to get under way following its completion.