Nicolas Colsaerts failed to close the gap on runaway leader Alexander Levy and Felipe Aguilar charged into contention before the second round of the Portugal Masters was again suspended due to the threat of lightning.
Levy was one of only six players to complete their second rounds on Friday after thunderstorms and heavy rain severely disrupted play, forcing the tournament to be reduced to 54 holes, and a brilliant 61 ensured he had already set a testing clubhouse score at 18 under.
Big-hitting Belgian Colsaerts, who had a putt for The European Tour’s first 59 in his opening 60 on Thursday, was three behind the Frenchman overnight with two holes to try and reduce the deficit.
But pars at the eighth and ninth ensured he posted a 67 and remained second on 15 under, with Aguilar alone in third having carded eight birdies in the 13 holes possible before the dark clouds rolled in over Oceånico Victoria to reach 14 under.
“It’s always difficult to follow a really low score, but I’m quite happy with the way I played on the back nine coming in,” said Colsaerts.
“I got to the golf course yesterday at 7am and left at 7.30pm, so it was a pretty long day. Luckily I’m staying on site so you have the option of going back to the room. I didn’t really do that too much yesterday though.
“I’ll probably make up for yesterday and spend all day in my room. I’ll maybe practise a little bit later on and just keep loose. Most of the day will be spent nice and cosy and relaxing.
“As I showed yesterday and today, if you get off rhythm a little bit and you don’t fully take advantage of the course, others will make up ground. Sunday will unfold and we will see what happens.”
Aguilar holed a birdie putt from the fringe at the 18th to turn in 31, then birdied the first from 15 feet, converted from twice that distance at the third and knocked in another 15 footer at the fourth.
Play resumed at 3pm, but Aguilar was unable to make any further inroads with pars at the fifth and sixth.
