Paul McBride and Jonathan Yates survived the 36-hole cut as home favourite Matteo Manassero moved closer to victory ahead of the final round of the Alps Tour’s Acaya Open.
The Island professional McBride overcame two bogeys and a double with four birdies and an eagle in a two-under par round of 69 on day two in Lecce. Understandably rusty on his first event of the new Alps season, McBride heads the Irish challenge in a share of 30th at three-over with Naas professional Yates also through to the final round after adding an improved one-under 70 to his opening 77 to make the cut on the number at plus-five.
It was all about Manassero on Thursday as the youngest ever winner on the European Tour (17 yrs 188 days) took route 66 to the clubhouse to stamp his authority on the tournament. Nine-under par and four clear of the chasing pack, no wonder the now 27-year old was pleased with his efforts through two rounds at Acaya Golf Club.
“Two really good days,” said Manassero. “Yesterday was the first round in competition after five months so there was a question mark, but I was very, very satisfied with what I saw, with the decisions, with the game, with a lot of things.
“My mindset was really good so starting like that it’s obviously easier and you just try to stay the same way and keep the same strategy and then hopefully the game follows. Luckily, today was another solid day and going into tomorrow I will just try to be the Matteo of the last two days and mentally try to copy and use the attitude I’ve been working on and that’s my main purpose and the rest we’ll see. But I’m really satisfied.”
- Full scoring HERE
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