After a dramatic day and excellent scores, Nicolas Colsaerts of Belgium and Cameron John of Australia took a joint lead with 14 under par at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship halfway stage in Scotland on Saturday. The team event was also a close race.
Colsaerts shot an impressive 65 on the challenging Carnoustie Course, while John, ranked 1007 in the world, teamed up with him to lead the field at St Andrews. They have a one-shot edge over Scotland's David Law, and the first round leader Darren Fichardt from South Africa.
Two of Europe's biggest stars are now only three shots behind the leaders. They have both advanced into serious contention. Tyrrell Hatton, who is chasing his third Alfred Dunhill Links championship, and Tommy Fleetwood (who is pursuing his first) are both at 11 under par. Fleetwood returned one of the top cards of the day, a 65.
Colsaerts of Belgium, vice-captain for the European Ryder Cup winning team in Rome 2023, calls himself a "part-time golfer" now that he works as a commentary, but he has shown nothing but his total commitment. The 41-year old said: "I have been playing well since yesterday!" In St Andrews I was able to plot my way around the course, but Carnoustie requires more local knowledge. "Having played this event helps."
John, 25, said that he drove to Gullane to take a look. It was good to look back.
"I have no expectations at all." "I don't really have any expectations." I think I am in a comfortable place, where I just enjoy being here. I wouldn't call it a situation of expectation. You would have probably thought it was a bit far-fetched if you had told me I'd be in this situation at the beginning. "But I've played well at home, and I'm certainly not surprised," said the Melbourne golfer.
The Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, worth $5 million, is held on the Old Course St Andrews in Scotland and Carnoustie & Kingsbarns. It consists of two competitions: an individual event for professionals as well as a Team Championship where the pros and amateurs are paired together.
Martin Gilbert has participated in every Alfred Dunhill Links Team Championship since 2001 when he played as the amateur partner to eventual winner Paul Lawrie. He is in the lead again, 23 years after he first played. In 2001, he was playing with Grant Forrest. They finished their second round in St Andrews at 24-under-par, giving them a two shot lead.
Huey Lewis is in the pack of chasers. He says that his back hurts, his putting skills are terrible, and his iron game is suspect. But after 36 holes, he and Rasmus Nergaard Petersen are just four shots behind. "I drive it well, but I think our position really depends on Rasmus. I had never met him before, but he's a fantastic kid. Lewis said, "He hits it a million miles and has a great game all around. It's fun watching kids like him inside the ropes."
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