Six-time European Tour winner Thomas Levet admitted that his late decision to play at the Madeira Islands Open – Portugal – BPI has paid off in spades after the Frenchman moved to within two shots of the lead at Clube de Golf do Santo da Serra, where a play suspension means the second round will be finished on day three.
It is the 44 year old’s first appearance in Madeira since 1999 and he had a hugely successful second day as he carded a six under par back nine on the way to a five under par round of 67, moving him to seven under and two shots behind Scotsman Craig Lee.
Level, who was on the winning European team in The 2004 Ryder Cup at Oakland Hills Country Club, has found his form once again after a disappointing start to the season and he is delighted with his progress in Madeira.
“It was difficult today,” he said. “The wind was blowing and stopping and the rain was on and off so it wasn’t easy to control the ball.
“On the back nine I just played absolutely brilliant golf. I holed a long putt at the third (his 12th) for eagle, from about 10 metres (32 feet), and I missed a short one for birdie at the next.
“Then at the sixth I hit it to two metres for birdie, to half a metre for birdie at seven, to one metre for birdie at eight and at the last I hit it to inches so the putts were all easy.
“I struggled a bit on the front nine because it was very difficult but my putting was really good so I managed to hang in there and you need to be patient on this course.
“Every part of my game is OK, my driving isn’t great but it’s pretty straight so that’s a bonus because I can keep the ball in play a lot.
“I came to Madeira because I felt in practice that I was starting to play better and I wasn’t supposed to come here but I thought maybe it would be a good week to show what I can do under pressure. That’s why I came here, to show that my game is in good shape.”
