Italy’s Emanuele Canonica, the smallest player on the European Tour but officially the biggest hitter, boomed his way into the halfway lead in the weather-delayed Sarazen World Open at PGA Golf de Cataluyna, Barcelona.
The 28 year old from Turin, only 5ft 2in tall but winner of the Axa Performance Data Driving Distance category in 1998 and leader in that department again this year, shot a 66 for a 10 under par total of 134.
Canonica returned to the course to resume his second round, which had been suspended due to an electrical storm on Friday night, at five under par. He proceeded to make another five birdies to overhaul Dane Thomas Björn, who held the clubhouse lead on 135 overnight.
Currently 77th on the Volvo Order of Merit, the little Italian has his sights fixed on the Volvo Masters at Montecastillo later this month. The top 55 qualify automatically and he said: “That is my target for the next two weeks.
“I have got a lot of confidence at the moment and I hit a lot of shots close for birdies this morning. I like the course. I had never seen it before my first round but it is a fantastic design and I feel happy here.”
Exactly 96 places behind Canonica, in 173th position with earning of £15,216, is England’s Robert Coles, who tagged a 70 on to his first round 66 to move into a share of third position on 136, eight under par, with Steen Tinning and Thomas Levet, who finished their rounds on Friday.
However Coles insisted he doesn’t feel too much pressure to try to win back his card without recourse to a visit to the Qualifying School finals next month.
This time last week, Coles was intending flying to Paris for a Challenge Tour event but, having learned that he was in the field in Spain, amended his travel plans accordingly.
“It’s nice to be up there near the top. It’s been a long time” said Coles, who missed the Qualifying School in 1998 due to injuries sustained in a car crash just days before the San Roque endurance test.
He added: “It’s different for me. I had already resigned myself to going back to the Qualifying School and I haven’t even looked at my Order of Merit position. It’s good to play for the sake of it. I don’t look anxiously at the list. I’ve been there before and it’s not pleasant.”
Scotland’s Stephen Gallacher, nephew of former Ryder Cup captain, Bernard, and 122nd on the Order of Merit, shot a 69 for 137 to move into a share of sixth, and a chance to retain his card this weekend.
