Day two digest: 2021 D+D Real Czech Masters

Everything you need to know from day two in Prague.

Sebastian surged ahead, Henrik stayed flawless, it was raining cats, dogs and quite possibly hamsters, and Søren was holing from everywhere in round two of the 2021 D+D Real Czech Masters.

Here is everything you need to know from Friday at Albatross Golf Resort.

Sebastian finds his form

Sebastian Soderberg had missed four cuts in a row and sat 194th on the Race to Dubai Rankings in Partnership with Rolex entering this week. An opening 70 gave him a good platform to build on and he did just that in round two, picking up five shots in as many holes around the turn and putting his approach to a foot on the last to equal the course record with a 64. He takes a one shot lead into the weekend at ten under. "I did play really well," he said. "I didn’t really get into trouble, except on 17 and I made a good up-and-down. It was a lot of fairways, a lot of greens, a few nice putts and a very solid day. It’s going to be a bit rusty but I’ll try and play one hole at a time. I’m sure there’s going to be some pressure, hopefully it’s not too bad and I can manage it and keep playing well."

Henrik happy to maintain momentum

Henrik Stenson admitted he was pleasantly surprised with his scoring as he kept himself firmly in contention at eight under heading into the weekend. The Swede did not arrive here with his best form, having slipped out of the top 200 in the Official World Golf Ranking and not played since The Open Championship. But after four weeks off he has started bogey free with rounds of 67-69 and potentially caught the eye of Ryder Cup Captain Padraig Harrington. "I was expecting to give it my best," he said. "I’ve got four tournaments to build some momentum to be in the hat that Padraig is going to pick three names out of. I expected to give it my best and scoring-wise it’s probably better than I was hoping for."

Get the armbands out

There is rain and then there is rain. The heavens opened at around 3.15pm local time and within 45 minutes play was suspended due to waterlogged greens.

Incredibly, the staff at Albatross had the course playable again within 30 minutes which is a remarkable effort. This tweet tells you just what they were up against.

Lucky 13 for Andrea

The story that will please most people on the European Tour this week may just be this one. Andrea Pavan won this event in 2018 for his maiden European Tour title and less than 12 months later he had another as he beat Ryder Cup star and Rolex Series champion Matt Fitzpatrick in a play-off at the BMW International Open. This season however his record reads: 12 events - two retirements, one disqualification and nine missed cuts. An opening 74 in Prague suggested he would be heading home early again but a brilliant bogey free 66 moved him well within the cut line and assured a first cheque of the season. Forza Andrea!

Søren has his putting boots on

Søren Kjeldsen may not hit it as far as most on the European Tour but when he putts like this, he doesn't need to. This 42 footer was followed by a 20 foot putt on the ninth and a 30 footer on the 14th.