Argentine Daniel Vancsik did his hopes of returning to The European Tour no harm with a two under par 69 in the second round of the Crowne Plaza Copenhagen Challenge hosted by Royal Golf Club.
That score, which featured five birdies and three bogeys, gave him the clubhouse lead at five under par, one in front of Finland’s Roope Kakko, who had a 70, and two ahead of Dane Jeppe Huldahl, who signed for a 69 and is taking advantage of the tournament being held within walking distance of his home.
Another Dane, overnight co-leader Joachim B Hansen, had also reached five under par after playing three holes, while Englishman Daniel Brooks was one better and three under through six holes.
Vancsik is currently 20th in the Rankings – the last spot which will earn a European Tour card for 2013 – and knows he needs a strong finish to the campaign to ensure his return to the top tier.
“I just need two more good weeks to get back to The European Tour,” said the 35 year old. “Yes there is pressure, but there’s pressure every week. This is a tough course and you have to play sensible golf.
“I didn’t hit the ball very well today but my putting was perfect, so it saved me quite a few times. Yesterday was the opposite, which just shows you that this is a crazy game. I holed a couple of really long putts for birdie, and many good ones to save par.”
Huldahl, the 2009 Wales Open champion, lost his card last year and at 44th in the Rankings is just inside the 45-player mark to qualify for next week’s season-ending Apulia San Domenico Grand Final.
He said: “I live just over the road so I’ve been walking to the course each morning this week. It’s very nice to be able to do that, and to sleep in my own bed. This week couldn’t be easier for me.
“I’ve lived there for nearly three years and it’s been great, but we’re actually moving in a couple of months. I was delighted to hear the tournament was coming here. It’s perfect.
“We couldn’t have had better weather for the first two rounds. It’s still a very tough golf course even in good weather, and if you can post a red score every day you’re doing really well. We don’t have many really tough courses on the Challenge Tour so it’s nice to have a real test.
“I have been struggling a little with my putting recently, so it’s perfect for me to be in a place where you don’t have to putt well to do well – you just have to play well overall.
“Obviously a win would be great but we’re only halfway there. I need a couple of great results to get the (European Tour) card back, and the way I’m playing now I can’t see any problems. It’s just about pushing on from here.”
