Everything you need to know from day two in Vilamoura.
Nino kept his nose in front, Lucas had his groove back, Blandy hobbled his way to a 65 and more of the old guard were showing how it was done on day two of the 2021 Portugal Masters.
Here is everything you need to know from Friday at Dom Victoria Golf Course.
Bertasio maintains momentum
They say it's difficult to follow up a very low round with another good one - Nino Bertasio didn't get the memo. After firing his lowest ever European Tour effort on day one with a 61, he shot a 69 on day two to get to 12 under and lead by two. "I didn't expect anything similar from yesterday," he said. "A solid day. I didn't make many putts, the greens were a bit bumpy towards the end. I made three birdies out there and they were inside two feet so I didn't make much out there but I'll take it. A good second round in, tomorrow starts the weekend, basically a new tournament and I'm looking forward to it." The Italian is looking for a first win in his 159th start.
Bjerregaard getting back to his best
Former champion Lucas Bjerregaard was hoping to peak at the right time as he fired a bogey free 65 to get himself right in contention. The Dane is battling to keep his card after just one European Tour top ten in two and half years but he heads into the weekend at ten under as he eyes a big finish to the 2021 Race to Dubai. "It’s not been a good year for me," he said. "I’ve not been playing very well. I’ve had little glimpses here and there of improvement but it’s not really shown much. These last couple of months I’ve been playing better and making some more cuts but it’s not quite where it needs to be. I’m pleased with the last couple of days."
Pádraig having a flutter
Think you've seen every bizarre rules question there is? Well what about a ball hitting a moth which flies away unharmed? That was a query made by Pádraig Harrington on Friday.
Speaking of Pádraig..........
How about this for a finish from the 50-year-old?
Magic from Drysdale
David Drysdale is playing his 542nd European Tour event this week at 46 years of age but we bet he never gets bored of doing this.
Bland playing through the pain
Richard Bland has been one of the stories of the 2021 Race to Dubai. He won his first European Tour title at the 478th attempt, became the oldest ever 36 hole leader at the U.S. Open Championship at the age of 48 and hit the opening tee shot at The Open. He revealed after his second round in Vilamoura he had done all that with an injury, an injury that has got worse in the last month - a month that has seen him record two top tens. "I’m hobbling around a little bit," he said. "I’ve got a tear in my left knee. To be fair, I’ve been playing with it for most of the season but it’s only really been bothering me on the walking side for the last four or five weeks. It’s getting worse. I’m glad I’ve got six rounds of the year left to play and then I’m done." He heads into the weekend just five off the lead.
