Swede Fredrik Jacobson spilled two strokes over the closing four holes but still protected the two shot lead he held on Thursday night when the delayed second round of the Volvo Masters Andalucia was played in welcome sunny and breezy conditions at Club de Golf Valderrama, Spain.
Jacobson, who shot an eight under par 64 in the first round before torrential rain washed out all of Friday’s play. When play eventually got under way at 8.15 on Saturday morning, Jacobson resumed his contest against the course and Spain’s Carlos Rodiles.
The Swede carded a one under par 71 for a nine under par total of 135 while Rodiles, from nearby Malaga, birdied five holes on the back nine for a round of 69 and total of 137.
Anders Hansen, the former Volvo PGA Champion from Denmark who lay in second place after the first round, signed for a one over par 73 to lie third on 139, five under par, one ahead of England’s Greg Owen who fired a superb five under par 67 to climb into fourth place.
Jacobson said: “I made three bogeys on the back nine and bounced back well from every one of them. I played well up until the par three 15th where I missed a short one then my drive at the 18th was blocked out.
“A bit disappointing to finish like that after getting to 11 under, as I thought a round of three or four under was definitely within reach. Unfortunately I made a couple of mistakes but I am still in a strong position. Carlos played phenomenal on the back nine and that’s got him right back into it.”
Jacobson was helped by an eagle three at the seventh where his three iron landed 20 feet from the hole.
Rodiles, meanwhile, recovered from bogeys at the eighth and ninth by birdieing the 11th, 12th, 14th, 15th and 16th to excite the home supporters on the Costa del Sol.
Another Spaniard, Sergio Garcia, remained very much in the frame after a second round 71 for 142. He said: “I am very happy and pleased with that score as the course is playing tough. I love the course. It’s the kind of course which demands a lot from you.”
