Nicolas Colsaerts failed to close the gap on runaway leader Alexander Levy as the second round of the rain-affected Portugal Masters continued in Vilamoura.
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 59in 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, four shots ahead of England’s Richard Bland and Dane Morten Ørum Madsen in the clubhouse, with France’s Romain Wattel on the same mark with two holes to play.
“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.”
