When it comes to holy grails in a round of golf, while not top of the pile, breaking 30 for nine holes could be considered one of them – and that’s exactly what Borja Virto Astudillo did on day two at the Challenge de Madrid.
His front nine of 29 at El Encin Golf Hotel saw the Pamplona native hurtle 53 places through the field, somewhat akin to the world famous bulls seen once a year charging through the streets of his hometown, en route to the low round of the day in his nation’s capital.
The day got off to the ideal start with a two putt birdie at the par five first, and while the two pars that followed did not hint at the fireworks to come, the 24 year old proceeded to rattle off six red numbers in a row from there to charge into a share of eighth place.
He could not quite match that form on the back nine, carding a dropped shot at the par four 12th hole, but a closing birdie was suitable reward for a sparkling round of 65 that sees him enter the third day four behind overnight leaders Ruaidhri McGee and Juan Sarasti.
“The front nine was really good,” said Virto, who earned a maiden season in The Race to Dubai this year having claimed the 19th card on offer at the Qualifying School Final Stage last November. “I started putting for eagle on the first and just missed, then I had a lot of chances after that and made all of them. I hit a couple pretty close, then on the ninth I had a two metre putt for birdie.
“I was a little bit nervous as I knew it was for 29 and that is always special, but I made it just on the edge of the hole, which was nice.
“I cooled off a little after that, and found a bush on the 12th from the tee and made bogey, but I played nicely from there and missed a couple of putts. Then on the 18th I holed a nice putt for birdie, so I’m really happy.
“I played pretty good yesterday but I didn’t hole any putts so I was pretty disappointed, but it’s great to have a good round today and get back in it.”
Virto has struggled for his best form since making his ascent to the higher echelons of the game, missing every cut in the five European Tour events he has played so far this season.
It can be a difficult transition to all of a sudden find yourself dining at golf’s top table, having not long been a professional yourself, but the Spaniard feels he is already getting comfortable in those exalted surroundings as he prepares for a summer of action across both Tours.
“I am thinking I will play as many European Tour events as I can this season, but if I don’t get in, that’s when I will play on the Challenge Tour,” said Virto.
“It will be a busy schedule, but I didn’t have a great start this season missing five cuts. A couple were only by one or two shots, so I am playing OK, but the short game has not been very good so I just need to improve that.
“I am getting a little more confidence now though, as I made the cut in Kenya, so hopefully I can play better now. It is more difficult on The European Tour, and it is different, so I just wasn’t used to it.
“I think my game is getting better now though and I will play in Mauritius and then the Spanish Open, where I know the course very well. Hopefully I can go well there and it can be a turning point in my season.
“As for this week, I will just hope to keep playing like this, and hopefully I can make some putts.”
