Jonathan Yates was unable to find his best stuff after missing out on the 36-hole cut mark at the Alps de Las Castillas.
The Naas professional has been in fine form and fired a final round 65 just last week to grab a top-10 finish at the Alps de Andalucia.
However, such is golf, no two days are the same, never mind two weeks and after posting an opening round of 78 on Wednesday, Yates gave himself too much to do on Thursday where he could only manage a two-over 74 to finish well down the board at plus-eight.
Compatriot Damian Murphy was six shots further back after returning a pair of 79s while Peter Dallat withdrew after an opening round 76.
At the end of Thursday morning, Spaniard Jacobo Pastor had moved up to the top of the board at-13 (131) for the two days.
“Today was a really good day,” reflected the leader on a second round 65 that added to an opening 66.
“It started really shaky because I made a good birdie on one and then on two, I don’t know why I just didn’t seem to play that hole correctly and I bogeyed it. Then I had a great up and down on three for par from about 100 yards and par on four.
“I wasn’t playing well but then I birdied five and bogeyed six and from there I started playing really well. I made a good birdie on eight then I hit a good drive on nine which is pretty important on that hole. Then I had a really good stretch.
“On ten I had birdie, and then I didn’t make birdie on eleven as I hit a bad drive. Twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen I played really well with some really good putts. Then on the 18th I had a really good shot from the fairway with a three wood and a two putt for birdie. I took some chances and luckily they worked for me so I’m happy with my round.”
Grand total 9 birdies and two bogeys for the day, a great result for Pastor who had admitted to a lack of confidence off the tee on Wednesday, usually the strongest part of his game.
In second place the Scottish rookie, Ryan Lumsden; joint ninth as he teed off from the 1st , the Scot had five birdies and two bogeys on the front nine. With four more birdies on the back nine, he was one stroke behind the leader on the 17th where a bogey dropped him back to finish at -11 (133).
Full scoring HERE
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