Italy's Costantino Rocca continued his bid for a second North West of Ireland Open title by moving into a one stroke lead over compatriot Massimo Florioli at Ballyliffin Golf Club.
Rocca, whose fifth and last European Tour victory came in this event at Galway Bay in 1999, shot a second round 69, three under par, over the spectacular Glashedy Links to move to four under par 140. Florioli is a shot adrift after a two under par 70 but the best round on a day when the high winds of the first round eased significantly came from Scotland’s Andrew Coltart, the Ryder Cup player shooting a course record 66 to move to two under par and only two shots off the pace.
Rocca, a Member of three European Ryder Cup teams including the victorious side of 1997 when he took the memorable scalp of Tiger Woods in the singles at Valderrama, missed numerous birdie chances from within 15 feet but remains the man to catch.
After missing a four foot par putt on the first, the 45 year old, the oldest man in the field, was a model of consistency as he picked up four birdies without another bogey in the remaining 17 holes.
Chances for birdie went begging at the third and fourth before he finally rolled one in one the 174 yard fifth hole, hitting a seven iron to three feet. Another chance slipped by on the seventh when his putt from eight feet stayed above ground and he could do no better than level par 35 for the front nine.
Three birdies coming home however, including a huge 35 foot putt on the 17th, gave Rocca a back nine of 34 to complete his 69.
“I didn’t putt very well today,” he said. “Just holed a good putt on the 17th. But I missed quite a few chances.
“Leading is a nice place to be in. I don’t think about the weekend. Just think about the way I am swinging now and keep my rhythm and try to make more birdies.”
After Rocca’s victory in the inaugural event in 1999 followed by that of Massimo Scarpa, Florioli will be attempting to become the third Italian winner of the North West of Ireland Open in four years.
Two birdies in his first three holes set him on his way and another at the tenth took the 30 year old to four under par. Bogeys on the 13th and 15th brought him back into the pack before he birdied the 16th to finish on three under par.
“The weather was much better today,” he said. “I made a couple of mistakes like on the 13th, bogeyed that for the second day running, but overall very pleased. I holed a long putt on the first and that got me off to a good start with a birdie.
“I am quite surprised because normally I don’t play well on links courses. It would be nice to be the third Italian winner of this tournament but there is a long way to go and just have to play each hole as it comes.”
The main threat could well come from Coltart who found some form with a flawless 66 to set a new course record. Coltart reached the turn in 32 after birdies at the fifth, sixth and ninth, before picking up three more coming home.
Coltart has won twice on The European Tour but has struggled to find form as he slipped down the Volvo Order of Merit to his current position of 76th. Now two shots off the lead he is very much in contention for a third European Tour title.
“I played well and didn’t do anything wrong,” said Coltart. “It was nice to go out and make a significant move out there and get really involved in the tournament.”
Coltart shares third place with Frenchman Jean-Francois Lucquin who shot a five under par 67 to move to three under par before revealing he had never played a links course before this week.
Lucquin, who won in Morocco earlier this season, currently occupies second place on the Challenge Tour Rankings and could overhaul England’s Lee James at the top with a win this week.
"This has been a great year for me,” said Lucquin. “It will be very, very difficult to catch Lee. He has played very well this year and already won three times. If I finish in the top three I will be very happy. I am now thinking ahead to next season and know it will be very hard. There are a lot of very good players on the European Tour. The courses are more difficult to the challenge Tour and I know I have to improve a lot.”
The high winds which swept across the Glashedy Links eased significantly in the second round and record crowds of 1,670 were able to enjoy the golf.
Cecil Doherty, General Manager of Ballyliffin Golf Club, said: “Ballyliffin Golf Club are delighted to be hosting this event for the first time and we are thrilled that so many spectators have come to join us for this very special week for the club.”
Jamie Birkmyre, Director of Tournament Development, said: “We are delighted with the tremendous support we have received from the golfing public of Ballyliffin and County Donegal, reflected in the sizeable crowds during today’s second round.
“There is always a very special atmosphere at all tournaments in Ireland and this week we are once again enjoying the traditional and knowledgeable support of the Irish spectators who make such a contribution to the week.”
A total of 88 players survived the halfway cut of 151, seven over par.
