Ross McGowan stormed into the lead at the Open Blue Green Cotes d`Armor Bretagne with a brilliant second round of eight under par 62.
The Englishman could have been forgiven a dizzying sense of déjà vu as he compiled the best socre of the week so far at the Golf Blue Green de Pléneuf Val André, having shot a second round 62 there in 2007 – the year he eventually lost the tournament in a sudden-death play-off to former Ryder Cup star Peter Baker.
In the seven intervening years, McGowan has experienced the extreme highs and lows that only a top-level professional golfer can endure – from European Tour victories, appearances in Major and World Golf Championships to the plague of injuries that played a huge part in his return to the Challenge Tour.
But, as is often the case in the professional game, the old sporting adage that form is temporary and class is permanent can be applied to McGowan, whose outstanding ball striking and distance control were very much to the fore during his second round performance.
Eight birdies and not a single dropped shot saw the 32 year old rampage up the leaderboard and post a halfway score of 11 under to establish a two-stroke lead over compatriot Dave Coupland, with Frenchman Benjamin Hebert flying the French flag with pride alongside England’s Paul Dwyer on eight under.
“That was pretty good,” smiled an ever-modest McGowan. “I played well today and managed to roll a few of the birdie putts in today which is always the difference at this level.
“The conditions were great again today so there was always going to be a few low ones out there. It feels pretty good at the moment and even though my results haven’t been great recently I have been playing quite well.
“It’s always nice to go low and this is a golf course that I like. I shot 62 here seven years ago when I eventually lost the play-off to Peter Baker so I have a lot of good memories of this place and that always helps your confidence.”
Coupland is a man full of confidence, having performed with distinct consistency on this his rookie year on the Challenge Tour.
The 28 year old is yet another successful product of European golf’s three-tier system, having graduated to the Challenge Tour from the third level EuroPro Tour in his native UK last year.
Coupland finished fourth on the EuroPro Order of Merit last year (the top five earn cards for the Challenge Tour) and he is hoping to break into the all-important top 15 on the Challenge Tour Rankings to secure back-to-back promotions and earn a place at golf’s top table on The European Tour next year.
“I am very pleased with that considering I dropped two shots in my first four holes today,” said Coupland, who recovered in some style to card a three under 67 to stay within two stroke of McGowan.
“I am 25thon the Rankings at the moment and hopefully this week is the start of a good run of form because there are some massive tournaments coming up to finish the season and we are all trying to grab one of those 15 European Tour cards. Everyone wants to have their game hitting top form at this stage of the season, so hopefully I can keep this going over the weekend.”
