Everything you need to know from Friday at Ullna Golf and Country Club.
Whitnell flirted with history, Paul kept things in perspective, a caddie was chasing another win and the ladies were holing out from all over the place on day two of the Volvo Car Scandinavian Mixed.
Here is everything you need to know from Friday at Ullna Golf and Country Club
Wonderful Whitnell waltzes clear
Dale Whitnell carded the lowest round of his DP World Tour career with a stunning 61 to take a commanding six-shot lead into the weekend. The Englishman entered the day a shot off the lead but turned in 30 and then birdied the tenth, 11th and 12th as talk of a 59 began to ripple around the course. He could not achieve that feat but two more birdies took his tally for the day to 11 - with just two of the successful putts coming from outside ten feet - as he carded the lowest round of the season so far. "I played nicely, hit the right shots at the right time, took my medicine if I needed to if I wasn't in the right positions and holed a few putts which helped," he said. "I just want to emulate what I've done the first two days. Obviously it would be pretty impressive to do that but I'll just keep the same mindset." German Yannik Paul was the nearest contender, a shot ahead of Scot Richie Ramsay.
Paul staying in the present
There have been times this season when Paul has been occupying a qualifying spot for Luke Donald's Ryder Cup team and he came into this week fifth on the European Points List. A win in Sweden to go with his maiden victory on Mallorca and two runner-up finishes since qualifying began would go a long way to getting him to Rome, but the German is staying grounded. "It’s exciting, I think I need to win at least once, maybe twice we will see, but yeah, I am not trying to focus too much on that (Ryder Cup) and just play well," he said. "You know, this week doesn’t define my odds, it would obviously help, but just trying to stay in the moment. Try to play good golf and see what I can do."
Melia proving a lucky charm again
Garry Melia is one of the most experienced caddies on Tour, having enjoyed nine successful years with Grégory Havret and also carried the bag for Graeme Storm. Earlier this season at the SDC Championship he caddied for Englishman Matthew Baldwin on a one-time deal and his boss cruised to a seven-shot victory. This week, he is caddying for another Englishman on a one-time deal and his boss leads by six after 36 holes. Could history repeat itself? "No comment," was the answer from Whitnell after his second round. He clearly doesn't want to tempt fate.
Slam dunk birdie for Babnik
Pia Babnik would not have been thinking about a birdie when she hit a provisional after spraying her tee-shot on the sixth right and into the trees. She luckily found her first ball and while she played a smart recovery, the Slovenian left herself 77 yards to the flag. Then she did this.
No wonder mum on the bag was quick to give her a hug.
Playing partners powering home putts
The great Annika Sorenstam was eager to get her round off to a flying start and she did just that by holing this 36-foot putt on the first.
But playing partner Madelene Sagstrom was not to be outdone and made her own putt from outside of 30 feet on the ninth.
