Chris Paisley fired ten birdies in testing conditions to move into a four-way tie at the top of the Swiss Challenge leaderboard heading into the weekend at Golf Sempach.
The Englishman signed for a round-of-the-day eight under par 63, joining Spaniard Santiago Tarrio, Swede Tobias Jonsson and American Matt Oshrine on nine under par for the week, one shot clear of four others at the top of a congested leaderboard.
Paisley birdied each of his opening four holes, before adding further gains on the sixth and eighth to make the turn six under par.
The 39-year-old then mixed four birdies – including one at the last to move into a share of the lead – with two bogeys coming home, as the wind swirled in Lucerne.
“I’m really happy,” he said. “I didn’t expect to shoot eight under on a day like this, but that’s how golf works. It’s a funny old game.
“I’ve not been in the best vein of form recently, so to go out and play well when it was quite windy today, I’m pleased.
“I had really good control of my ball, got it in the fairway and I putted great. I’m just really happy to be shooting a good score.
“It’ll be nice to play a weekend. I haven’t played that many recently, but I’m enjoying my golf again and I’ve been working really hard. It felt like some better golf was coming.”
Tarrio heads into the weekend alongside Paisley on nine under par after signing for a three under par 68 on day two.
The 34-year-old is a two-time winner on the HotelPlanner Tour having won on both occasions in 2021, and is hoping to carry his good form into moving day.
“That’s two good golf rounds for me,” he said. “I don’t remember the last time I had a lot of birdies like this after two rounds.
“It’s a really nice round today because of the windy conditions, especially the last few holes, with some tough pins. Maybe I just play better in the wind.
“I’ll be very nervous. The last time I saw my name on the leaderboard was a long time ago. I’ll be trying to play my best.”
Jonsson arrived in Lucerne after recording a seasons-best 19th place finish in the Challenge de Cadiz last week, and after a six under par 65 on day one, recorded four birdies and a solitary bogey on day two to remain in contention with two rounds to play.
The Swede is relishing the chance to tee it up in one of the final groups on Saturday, as he looks to make sure of more playing opportunities on the 2025 Road to Mallorca.
“Every tournament I play, I need to take advantage of to get a better category for next year, or to be able to play more this year,” he said. “Hopefully I can have a good finish this week now.
“I’ve been hitting a lot of fairways. I only missed two greens today and missed one yesterday which is really solid.
“It was a long time ago that I was in contention for a win so it’s going to be a lot of fun.”
Oshrine got off to a fast start on day two after recording two birdies in his opening four holes.
The 2024 Open de Portugal at Royal Óbidos winner dropped his first shot of the week on the 11th but responded with back-to-back gains at the 16th and 17th to join the leaders after 36 holes.
“It was a good battle,” he said. “I got off to a good start when it was really blowing on the front nine and then kept plotting my way along nicely when I was out of position.
“The bogey I made was a good one really, after hitting it in the hazard off the tee, and then I hit a great shot on 16, and two good ones to give myself an eagle chance on 17. All-in-all, I did well this afternoon in the wind.
“It’s always fun when you put yourself in position on a Thursday and Friday. That’s all you can do. I’ll enjoy the fight this weekend.”
Italian Renato Paratore who would earn automatic promotion to the DP World Tour with a third win of the season this week, is one shot off the lead in fifth alongside Swede Christofer Blomstrand, Englishman Ashley Chesters and Dane Jeppe Kristian Andersen.
Seven players are one shot further back in ninth, including Englishman Oliver Wilson, Austrian Maximilian Steinlechner, and home favourite Mauro Gilardi.
Round three of the Swiss Challenge gets under way at 8:15am local time, with Paisley, Tarrio and Jonsson teeing off at 10:20am in the final group.
