Jonathan Yates was left to rue a bruising bogey, double-bogey finish as his title challenge was stopped in its tracks on day two of the Abruzzo Alps Open.
The Naas professional had moved to within three strokes of the lead at eight-under par with two holes to play on Friday but bogeyed the par-4 17th before a costly double-bogey at the par-5 last at Miglianico Golf & Country Club.
It’s been an otherwise encouraging week for Yates who sits in a share of 15th at five-under par but he now trails home favourites Edoardo Giletta and Jacopo Vecchi Fossa by seven strokes with the Italian pair one clear atop the board at 12-under ahead of Saturday’s final round.
Yates is one of two Irish players safely through to the business end of the tournament with Dubliner David Carey advancing just a shot behind him at four-under par.
The big-hitting Castleknock man returned a typically tumultuous scorecard but there was plenty to like given he put four bogeys and a double behind him with two eagles, including one at the par-4 eighth, and two other birdies in a rollercoaster even par effort.
Rhys Clarke (+3), Paul McBride (+5), Gary Hurley (+7) and Simon Bryan (+10) all missed the 36-hole cut-mark as the Irish Alps Tour contingent continues to bank much-needed competition reps having seen their schedule decimated due to Covid-19.
- Full scoring HERE
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