Maximilian Steinlechner posted a brilliant eight under par round of 61 to take a two-shot lead into the weekend of the Interwetten Open, but Jack Madden and John Murphy are set to miss the cut.
Madden, after an opening two-over 71, rebounded with a four-under 65 but lies two shots outside the provisional cutline with just a couple of players yet to complete their second rounds.
Murphy’s tale was a different one. A 65 on day one promised a revival of fortune, but he followed it with a disappointing 73 to finish the week two behind Madden.
But Steinlechner is very much the early story playing in his home nation. The Austrian mixed an eagle, nine birdies, a bogey and a double bogey to move to 13 under at Schladming-Dachstein Golf Club, two ahead of South African JC Ritchie and Italian Filippo Celli in second.
The 25-year-old has been pleased with his work over the first two rounds on home soil and highlighted strong iron play as the key to success around this week’s picturesque layout, which is situated at the base of the Ennstal valley.
“It was pretty good today,” he said “I wasn’t that comfortable off the tee, but the rest of my game was very solid, and I was able to hit some great iron shots and take advantage of them with the putter.
“I grew up playing a lot of junior golf in Austria and I’m used to these kinds of conditions and set ups. I hit some great iron shots today, even out of the rough and that is so important around here.”
Steinlechner is looking to put on a show for the Austrian crowds this weekend and admits it would mean the world to secure a maiden HotelPlanner Tour title in his home country.
“I’m looking forward to the weekend and hopefully we can get a lot of home support,” he said. “It would be very special for me to get my first win in Austria and that is one of my goals this season. A win would be crucial for me and my position in the Rankings too.”
German Anton Albers, Scotland’s David Law, Peru’s Julian Perico, Englishman Gary King and Sweden’s David Lundgren share fourth position on ten under par.
Round two was suspended due to darkness at 9:13pm and will resume at 7:30am tomorrow morning. Round three will not start before 8:30am.
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