Argentina’s Daniel Vancsik powered his way to the top of the Madeira Islands Open BPI leaderboard after a second round 66 took him to ten under par 134 and left him one stroke clear of Frenchman Christian Cévaër, who posted a seven under par 65, at the halfway stage.
The big hitting Vancsik and the meticulously efficient Cévaër will be joined by 1995 Madeira Islands Open BPI champion Santiago Luna after the Spaniard’s 67 took him to eight under. That trio are sure to provide an intriguing final match of the third round, featuring three players of vastly contrasting styles looking to maintain their positions atop the leaderboard at the Santo da Serra Golf Club.
They will be pursued by a chasing pack that includes the vastly experienced South African David Frost, who is seven under after his own excellent second round 65, and America’s Notah Begay III, Sweden’s Alex Noren and Mads Vibe-Hastrup of Denmark, all of whom are six under par with 36 holes to play.
Vancsik recently changed coaches to team up with two time European Tour winner José Cantero in his hometown of Buenos Aires, and the 30 year old is reaping the benefits of Cantero’s knowledge, developing his game to a new level and vastly improving his short game and distancing himself from relying on the brute force that makes him one of the longest hitters on The European Tour.
“I changed my coach and feel really good now, and play with a lot of confidence throughout my game,” said Vanscik.
“You need that to play this course because you have to choose the right clubs in some difficult winds and very small greens. I played well for the first nine holes today, then bogeyed the tenth. But I chipped in for eagle at the 11th and this brought my confidence back. I don’t know what I will do tomorrow and Sunday but I would like to play the same round for the next two days!
“Cantero has been great for me. He coached Ricardo Gonzalez and Gustavo Rojas and was a great player who won on five Continents. He is a really good coach of the short game and he makes it easy for me. Before my mind would go a little bit crazy, but he helps just to focus on the shot.”
Cévaër kept his focus brilliantly throughout a beautifully crafted second round. His only dropped shot of the day came on the ninth green, his last hole of the day, and even then the Frenchman was unlucky as his ball lipped out for par.
Other than that, Cévaër played some excellent golf in making eight birdies, and he is looking forward to the playing over the weekend on a golf course that is close to his heart.
“I just got on the wrong side of the hole on the last and hit a good putt that was unlucky not to go in, but who hasn’t had that?” said the Frenchman.
“Overall I am very happy. I managed to take my mind off of everything else and focus on my game. It’s great when you can take your mind away from everything and don’t even play for scores, but for being efficient. I hate not being efficient.”
Cévaër has a great record in Madeira, having finished second to Luna in 1995 in just his third appearance as a full European Tour Member. He took eight place last season before joining the French contingent who stormed the 18th green to shower the eventual winner Jean Van de Velde in Champagne.
He would dearly love for Van de Velde to return that celebration come Sunday afternoon, but is fully aware of how much work has to be done before the victory cork can be popped.
“It was great for Jean last year, an ex-leader of French golf coming back after some tough times and all the French guys have so much respect for him so that’s why we celebrated with him – especially after making a comeback like that.
“It’d be nice if he was there to cover me in champagne this coming Sunday but there is too much work still to do before we think about these things.”
