Thomas Pieters is hopeful that a hot putter over the weekend can keep him contention for a second victory at the D+D Real Czech Masters.
The big-hitting Belgian won this event in 2015 and then finished second at Albatross Golf Resort 12 months later - with a victory the following week at the Made In Denmark helping him seal a Captain's Pick and a Ryder Cup debut at Hazeltine National.
Pieters will be hoping for another wild card when Captain Thomas Bjørn makes his selections on September 5 but he is focused on the task at hand in Prague, where opening rounds of 64-70 left him right in contention heading into round three.
He held a two-shot lead at one point on Friday and while he could not maintain that momentum, Pieters believes that playing well on the greens over the next two days could bring European Tour win number four.
“It was obviously more difficult with the wind today but I didn’t make enough putts today,” he said. “It was still a decent day even though I made two bogeys. It was a disappointing finish missing two short ones coming in but overall I’m not unhappy with the position I’m in going into the weekend.
“Hopefully I’ll be a couple back going into tomorrow and you want to be around this position going into Sunday too, within two shots on the back nine with a chance to win.
“I’ve been striking it really well, it’s just the putting that has let me down so I need a good putting week and I really like the greens here. They’re perfect, so smooth and I can see the lines really well so if I keep making putts I’ll have a decent chance, I think.”
Playing partner Padraig Harrington also moved to ten under after a 68, as he fired his lowest first 36 holes since he won the Portugal Masters in 2016.
The three-time Major Championship winner birdied three of his last six holes to get into an excellent position, and Ryder Cup Vice Captain Harrington was also full of praise for Pieters.
“I’m very happy,” he said. “The conditions were tougher, obviously it was raining early on and it was a much tougher day because the par fives weren’t as accessible as yesterday so I’m very pleased with the score.
“This is where you want to be with 36 holes to go and we might have got the right side of the draw too so hopefully I’ll be there or thereabouts.”
He added: “Thomas has played very nicely. Obviously on the last couple of holes he dropped a shot and he could have put himself out at 12 or 13 under par but he’s in a good position for the weekend.
“It’s irrelevant whether you’re ten or 11 or 12 under, it’s all down to how you play at the weekend, that will determine who will win the tournament.”
Finn Tapio Pulkkanen made just one bogey in his first 36 holes to get to ten under as he looks to keep hold of his playing privileges in his debut season.
Last season's Road to Oman winner made a bright start to the campaign with a top five at the Joburg Open but has not had things all his own way since, and is currently sitting 148th on the Race to Dubai Rankings presented by Rolex.
“I started the season really well with a third place in South Africa but it’s been a bit of a struggle since,” he said. “Now the game feels good so I’m hoping for a good finish this week.
“My overall ball striking is really good this week and I changed the driver on Monday and the putter too, so some changes and it feels good. I feel like I can really play on this course so I’m feeling really confident.”
