Grégory Bourdy and Thomas Levet ensured the French Tricolore was flying high at the Estoril Open de Portugal after second rounds of 65 and 64 took the French duo to the top of the clubhouse leaderboard midway through the second round.
Bourdy established himself as the tournament’s dominant force by adding that second round 65 to his course record 63 of day one, giving the 25 year old from Bordeaux an intimidating halfway total of 14 under par 128 – three clear of Levet and four ahead of England’s Simon Khan.
Without a bogey over his opening 36 holes, Bourdy has been in sensational form over the stunning Oitavos Dunes, replicating the kind of performance that saw him secure his maiden European Tour victory at the 2007 Mallorca Classic last October.
“Yesterday’s round was the first time I have shot eight under on The European Tour and it was a little difficult to get going this morning,” said Bourdy.
“I didn’t pick up any shots on the first few holes and I had to be patient. After that I had a great run of four birdies in a row. I didn’t drop any shots today either so I really enjoyed it again. I enjoy this course and the weather has been fantastic.”
The sun has certainly been shining on Levet over the last ten days. The 39 year old ended a four year victory drought last weekend by winning the MAPFRE Open de Andalucia and he has continued that winning form in Portugal.
Levet’s seven under par 64 was the lowest round of the morning matches at Oitavos, and included a quite stunning eagle putt in the par five 16th hole from well over 100 feet.
“That was the second longest putt of my career – the longest that I have made was on the fifth hole at St Andrews when I holed it from 38 metres. That was in 1992 I think during a practice round for the Dunhill Cup. But it was for par that time, not an eagle!” smiled Levet.
“I am playing super golf at the moment. The signs were there that it was coming. I have been playing well one day and then putting great the next, but now it is all coming together and that is a nice feeling to have.
“I am so confident on the greens at the moment that even when I missed three short ones today it didn’t affect me at all because I knew that I was going to make some other ones.”
