Day two digest: 2020 English Championship

Everything you need to know from day two at Hanbury Manor Marriott Hotel & CC.

Sully soared, Burmester was three and easy and Beef packed a punch in the second round of the 2020 English Championship.

Here is everything you need to know from Friday at the third event of the UK Swing.

Sully hits the front

Andy Sullivan has been in fine form on home soil since the UK Swing marked the full return of the European Tour after the coronavirus hiatus. He secured his best finish of the season with a tie for fourth at the Betfred British Masters hosted by Lee Westwood and made it seven consecutive rounds in the 60s over the first three days of the Hero Open. He opened with a 66 in Ware and followed it in round two with a 62 that was his lowest round of the season, coming home in a career best 28 to get to 14 under. "It was very satisfying," he said. "I’m really happy with my day’s work. Yesterday and today were both slow on the front nine and I didn’t get into my flow with the swing and wasn’t moving it the way I wanted to. Then on the back nine I freed up a little bit and got the putter going. I holed a lot of nice putts out there. I got a little bit of luck here and there as well, which when you shoot a low round it tends to go that way."

Three-sy does it for Burmester

Dean Burmester parred the par three 11th on Friday and after that he could have filled his card from muscle memory. Par-eagle-birdie-birdie-birdie-par-birdie-birdie. Which translates to: 3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3. A remarkable eight threes in a row helped him join Sullivan in carding a back nine of 28 and sit just one shot behind the Englishman. "I enjoyed it," he said. "Especially on the back nine. Finished with eight threes in a row, it was interesting. Laurie (Canter) was laughing on the last, he was willing it in for another three. It was good fun."

Beef boxing clever

One of the reasons Andrew Johnston is so popular is that he is happy to open up and he had no problem revealing he initially struggled with the new tournament protocols, which are governed by the Tour's comprehensive health strategy. His unease led to his withdrawal from the Betfred British Masters hosted by Lee Westwood but he looked to be enjoying life in the tournament bubble as he carded a bogey free 65 on Friday. The secret to his success? A spot of pugilism. "I’ve seen a guy in North Finchley, I’ve known him for years and I just texted him saying I need to come in," he said. "He made some time for me, I’ve been in there a couple of times and it’s been so good for my head, really. It’s just bag and pad work and I want to learn the basics, I don’t care if I have to do something a hundred times, I just want to learn more about boxing because I love it."

Karlberg commits

Rikard Karlberg stood on the 18th tee at five under, knowing he was likely to be on the bubble for the cut come the end of the day. When his ball went in the water, he knew a drop would end his chances so he rolled up his trousers and went searching. Alas, the Swede will not be playing over the weekend but we are all full of admiration for his aquatic efforts. Rikard, we salute you.

Renato's closing rocket

At 381 yards, the 18th is not the longest hole in golf but to drive it is some feat. Step forward Renato Paratore who drives the green, almost makes an eagle after chipping on the putting surface and holes his putt - glove on, of course. It's never dull with the Italian around.