Dungannon native Jack Madden shot a blistering, eight-under 64 to come charging up the leaderboard in round two of the Clutch Pro Tour event at Mannings Heath in southern England.
Starting the day at -2 after firing two birdies in his final three holes on day one, the Royal Portrush clubman was out early on day two and despite an early alarm call for his 7:55 tee time, he hit the ground running with birdies at both of the two opening par-4s. Three more followed at six, eight and nine as he made the turn at -5 for the day, and was already eyeing the top of the leaderboard having begun the day five shots off the pace.
Five consecutive pars to begin the back nine suggested that the wave he’d been riding may have flattened out, but another ‘three’ on the par-4 15th breathed fresh life into his charge and the highlight was yet to come as his ninth ‘three’ of the day on 17 was worth two strokes and the eagle moved him to -10. A closing par saw him reach the clubhouse a shot off the lead, and the 64 he signed for would be the lowest recorded from any of the 126 who finished out.
Unfortunately, he’ll be the lone Irishman in the field for the final round as an early double bogey and a final-hole bogey proved costly for Liam Grehan who missed the cut by the minimum, while Alex Maguire’s one-under saw him come up two shots shy and Brandon St. John found himself well off the pace.
Madden will begin the final round in the penultimate group alongside Callum Farr and Daniel Smith with the latter trailing his playing partners by a single stroke. They in turn are a shot behind the leading trio of Ryan Evans, John Gough and Olly Huggins.
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