Simon Wakefield was right in with a shout of claiming a maiden European Tour title after the second round of the Najeti Hotels et Golfs Open presented by Neuflize OBC, despite carrying a heavy weight all the way round – as he carried his own bag for two rounds after his caddy withdrew due to injury!
The Englishman’s caddie, Gary Cooper, was due to carry the bag for Wakefield at Aa Saint Omer Golf Club but an injured back he made the late decision to pull out.
That did not deter the Stafford man, however, as a three under par second round 68 moved him to within a shot of the lead heading into the weekend.
“I didn’t have a great start to the week with Gary going home, he had a bad back,” said the 39 year old. “That didn’t help my case and I couldn’t find an experienced replacement caddie.
“Luckily Ping sent me down a carry bag and I've been caddying for myself so far. I didn’t want a local caddie because having someone new, I thought it would take the focus away from my own game.
“I would rather do it myself. Nobody knows my game better than me and I know it’s a hilly course but I’ve been cycling a lot recently so I feel good and I thought, ‘why not’. As long as it didn’t rain I would be alright.”
Wakefield finished third last year, a result which went a long way in securing his graduation from the Challenge Tour to The European Tour, and he is once again enjoying the northern France venue.
“It’s the best shape I've ever seen this course, it’s set up great and the fairways are firm,” he said. “The greens aren’t too fast which is perfect.
“Last year it was a massive week on the Challenge Tour and obviously it’s not so big on The European Tour but at the end of the day every week is big. We’ve seen over the years guys who have lost their cards by the smallest of margins.
“Also, if you win it you have a winners’ exemption and I’ll adopt that attitude this week and every week I play.
“I'm looking forward to the weekend now and hopefully the weather holds out. I’ll pick up a caddie for the weekend because I have to have a caddie at the weekend.”
