Peter Hedblom, beaten in a play-off in Malaysia on his last European Tour outing, put himself in the perfect position to go one better when he shared the lead with Australian Matthew Millar at the halfway stage of the MAPFRE Open de Andalucia by Valle Romano.
The 38 year old Swede, who succumbed to India’s Arjun Atwal in Malaysia a year after he won the title there, added a second round 67 to his opening 69 for an eight under par total of 136 to sit alongside Millar whose opening two rounds were the same but in different order.
The duo enjoyed a one shot lead over a group of three players; Englishmen Robert Dinwiddie and David Lynn and Frenchman Thomas Levet who all finished on seven under par 137.
Of the leading duo, Hedblom was flawless in near perfect conditions around the Aloha Golf Club course and was particularly productive on the front nine where he carded birdies on the second and seventh and an eagle three on the 510 yard fifth.
One reason for that was the upturn in the Swede’s fortunes on the greens, a fact acknowledged by the man from Gävle himself after his round.
“I am having a good year this season and that is really all down to my putting which is a lot better than it used to be,” he said. “Putting really has been the weakness of my career but now I seem to be making those putts for par as well as the occasional one for birdie.
“My putting stats were never that good in the past, for instance I was never in the top 100 over the past few years but I am now which is good. Hopefully I can keep this going.”
Millar, one of the last players out on the golf course on the second day, looked to have blown his chance of a share of the lead when a snap hook tee shot on the par five 16th led to a bogey six, the Australian doing well in the end to hole from eight feet for his six.
But, after a par three at the 17th, he ensured his dinner would taste a little better with a closing birdie three on the demanding 448 yard 18th for his 69.
Best score of the three players tied for second was posted by Dinwiddie who, despite dropping a shot at the 18th hole – his ninth of the day – more than made up for that with eight birdies elsewhere in a sparkling 65 which helped move him from a share of 48th place at the start of the day.
Equally delighted to be near the head of affairs was his fellow Englishman Lynn who finished strongly with a back nine of 31 – which included an eagle three at the 16th – for his 67, while Levet’s chance of sharing the lead with Hedblom and Millar went when, for the second day running, he made bogey five at the 18th on his way to a 68.
The closely bunched feel to the event was perfectly illustrated by the fact there were six players in a share of sixth place on six under par 138 including the defending champion Lee Westwood of England and Welshman Bradley Dredge who is looking for a win to ensure a place in the field for next month’s Masters Tournament at Augusta National.
One man who knows all about what it takes to win the Green Jacket in Georgia is two time champion José Maria Olazábal, whose welcome return to the game in Andalucia after seven months out of action through rheumatism continued apace when he made the cut.
The 42 year old Spaniard – whose last competitive appearance was the 2007 US PGA Championship last August – followed his opening 71 with a level par 72 for a one under par total of 143 which guaranteed a place in the weekend’s action.
“I played 18 holes for the first three days I was here, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and I have to admit I did feel it a little bit in my lower back which was tight and tired,” he said. “But after treatment in the physio bus it seemed to get a little better and today was the best it has felt which is a good sign.
“To be honest, swinging the club is not the most painful part, it is walking and bending to the ball which is hard. But I am delighted to have made the cut as I certainly didn’t expect this after having been out for such a long time.
“My game is a little below par and I think that only three birdies in two days around here tells its own story. But I have made the cut which is a result for me and another two rounds on Saturday and Sunday – getting as much golf in as possible – can only be good.”
