Bernardus Golf may be making its debut on the European Tour this week but Thomas Detry was getting plenty of familiar feelings as he shot a second round 66 at the 2021 Dutch Open.
The layout may be inland but many of the field have spoken of its links-like feel, with the course designed by Kyle Phillips, the man behind Kingsbarns and Dundonald Links.
Detry made seven birdies and a single bogey as he moved to six under in Cromvoirt, and the Belgian revealed he was feeling very comfortable as he searches for a maiden European Tour victory.
"The course is in absolutely great shape, tight lies off the fairway and around the greens as well, so it’s beautiful and the greens are really good, so it is good preparation for Dunhill," he said.
"I think Kyle Phillips designed this golf course, he also did Kingsbarns, so it is a bit similar, and you definitely need to know your lines and I feel comfortable out here.
"I have played the golf course a couple of times, I’m comfortable with my lines, I know where to hit it and not to miss and that is a big help."
Also at 11 under was Marcus Helligkilde, with the Dane playing just his second European Tour event after making his debut on home soil earlier this season at the Made in HimmerLand presented by FREJA.
He currently sits sixth on the Road to Mallorca Rankings with a win and two second place finishes on the European Challenge Tour in 2021, and he has brought that form to the Netherlands, matching Detry with seven birdies and a single bogey in a second round 66.
"It was good," he said. "I like this course a lot because if you can hit it far from the tee you can carry some bunkers 270 metres out, so I have been fortunate to do that, so it has been nice.
"We had no wind for the first seven holes, absolutely nothing, so it was really easy out there in the morning.
"I do as I always do. I just try and have fun, stay in the process and do what I can control. I know I am going to be nervous because I am always nervous, but I am just going to have fun and enjoy the game of golf."
