Day two digest: Italian Open

Everything you need to know about the second round at the Italian Open.

Toilet trouble, red-hot streaks and terrific touch in the sand were just a few things to happen during an absorbing day two at Olgiata Golf Club in Rome.

Here is everything you need to know from the Friday’s action of the fifth Rolex Series event of the season.

Hatton flushes approach after toilet distraction

It is rare for players to stop their shot during the backswing but Tyrrell Hatton was forced to do just that as a fan slammed a portable toilet door shut during his stroke. The former Italian Open champion turned to the gallery to find the suspect, only to find out it was his fiancee Emily who was the culprit.

The Englishman tried to embarrass his partner after the incident, but it did not stop Hatton from dialling in to close range at the fourth for a birdie.

Korhonen’s birdie blitz

The Finn looked set for a steady round at two under after starting Friday with seven successive pars at Olgiata Golf Club. However, the two time European Tour began his surge up the field with birdies at the 17th, 18th and first. A fine tee shot at the par three second made it four in a row and when he sent his approach to four feet at the next, he became co-leader alongside Taipo Pulkkanen and Rory Sabbatini at seven under. He reached the clubhouse at the midway point at six under.

Willett’s brief stay in the sand

The 2016 Masters Tournament champion had a mixed back nine on Friday but the shining light was this delightful bunker shot at the 14th. It was the only birdie on Willett’s outward nine, before carding four straight gains from the first as he carded a second round 70 to get to four under par for the tournament.

Kitayama kisses cup

The American has had a stellar rookie season on the European Tour and already has two victories to his name at the Afrasia Bank Mauritius Open at Anahita and Oman Open. Kitayama has maintained some of that early winning form with solid results at the Porsche European Open, KLM Open and BMW PGA Championship in recent weeks, and that continued in Italy. The 26-year-old is in contention at Olgiata Golf Club and came mightily close to an ace at the par three 16th.

Long socks for Johnny Long Socks

Paul Casey's caddie John McLaren celebrated his 53rd birthday on Friday and was given a generous gift by Rolex - a pair of long socks. The pair have had a long and successful career together, but he will not be wearing them in Rome at the weekend as the recent KLM Open winner missed the cut.