Pierre Fulke of Sweden moved into a one stroke lead at the halfway stage of the Volvo Masters at Montecastillo Hotel and Golf Resort as Darren Clarke and Colin Montgomerie sustained their challenge for the Volvo Order of Merit. Fulke shot a second round 68 to add to his opening 67 for a nine under par total of 135.
The Swede lies one ahead of his playing partner, Spain’s José Maria Olazábal, who added a 69 for 136 while Clarke is one stroke further back on seven under par along with Fredrik Jacobson and Stephen Leaney. Playing together, Jacobson shot a best of the day 65 with Leaney carding a 66 and Clarke a 69.
Montgomerie, meanwhile, was treading water until the 14th when his six iron tee shot from 174 yards pitched two inches from the hole and hopped in for his seventh competitive ace. He matched his opening 69 for lie sixth on 138, six under par.
Fulke, winner of the Scottish PGA Championship in August, admitted: “There are some big names just behind and it’s up to me to keep in front of them. Overall I haven’t made many mistakes and that was a pretty solid round of golf.”
Montgomerie made the prediction that he needed a pair of 67s over the weekend to reach a potential winning target of 16 under par. Fulke retorted: “In that case I need a pair of 68s to beat him by a shot!”
Olazábal expressed his disappointment at failing to birdie any of the par fives, where others made hay and said: “I was disappointed about that. I missed three drivers and couldn’t make birdies which is a pity. It could have been a much better round and it leaves a bad taste.”
By contrast, Montgomerie was bullish about his prospects after that one shot. He said: “It was an eagle, two under par, and that was the key to the day. It’s got me into position for the weekend to have a go.
"It wasn't a fluke because you're meant to do it, but you need a bit of luck. One shot like that can change your body language. This might be my week. You never know.”
Clarke considered Montgomerie’s verdict and commented: “Probably something like 16 under will be about right. However I feel very comfortable at the moment. I feel at ease on the golf course. I’m in a good frame of mind.”
