Two-time Senior Major Champion Paul Broadhurst heads a star-studded leaderboard at the Farmfoods European Senior Masters hosted by Peter Baker on seven under par after posting a second round of 68 at Forest of Arden Hotel and Country Club.
The Englishman carded five birdies, an eagle and three bogeys in his four under par round of 68 and leads by one shot from a group of seven players on six under par, including two Major Champions in Paul Lawrie and Ian Woosnam.
Broadhurst, playing in his first Staysure Tour event of the season, outside of the Senior Majors, was somewhat relieved to see his name at the top of the 36-hole leaderboard after admitting he was not at his best in Coventry.
“I don’t know whether it’s jet lag or something, but I just haven’t swung it very well this week,” he said. “It’s been okay on the practice area but I just haven’t been hitting shots the way I’ve been hitting it recently.
“I’ve fat-chunked two six irons today – on six and nine – 20 yards short of the green and I’ve fat-chunked a three-rescue into 17 and somehow made birdie from it.
“There have been some poor, poor shots but I’ve obviously made some good shots as well and when I’ve hit a good shot, I’ve made birdie off it. It’s been a rollercoaster and I’m still leading so obviously I’m pleased.
"I’m not used to leading a tournament and not hitting it particularly well. Normally, you’re playing pretty well when you’re leading a tournament so tomorrow could be interesting.”
With a one-shot lead heading into what is poised to be a dramatic final day on the Staysure Tour, Broadhurst only has one thing on his mind after jetting in from America for this week’s tournament.
“This is what I came back to England for,” he said. “I didn’t come here to finish third, fourth or fifth, I want to win the tournament. I want to win in front of my home fans, my family and my friends.
“With that, I do put myself under a bit more pressure. You want to play well in front of all your pals, because I don’t get that chance very often as I’m playing in America so much. Maybe I need to take the pressure off myself and just go out and play.”
The 54-year-old will not be the only one with the trophy in his sights tomorrow, with Lawrie and Woosnam leading a chasing pack of players nicely placed for a title assault on the final day.
The 1999 Open Champion and the 1991 Masters Champion are joined in a tie for second place on six under par with England’s Gary Evans, six-time Staysure Tour winner Peter Fowler, 2004 Ryder Cup winner Thomas Levet, Argentina’s Mauricio Molina and Austrian Markus Brier, who was tied for the lead with Broadhurst before bogeying his final hole on day two.
Just a stroke further back are Welshman Stephen Dodd, Sweden’s Jarmo Sandelin and England’s David Shacklady, who has won twice in his last three Staysure Tour appearances.
The final round will get under way at 9.30am local time on Sunday October 6, with Broadhurst playing in the final group alongside Evans and Woosnam at 10.50am.
