Dunne pulls ahead as Rahm regrets missed putts

MADRID: Irishman Paul Dunne improved on his fine opening round at the Spanish Open to race three shots clear atop the leaderboard at the halfway stage with a superb seven-under 65.

Spaniard Nacho Elvira, Australian Brett Rumford and Callum Shinkwin of England shared second place on 10-under.

Dunne held the overnight lead with Marc Warren of Scotland but nine birdies, offset by two bogeys, saw him set a clubhouse target of 13-under in better conditions after rain on Thursday.

“It’s just one of those days,” he said on the European Tour website.

“I went on playing, I wasn’t really thinking about the score, then the score kind of built on itself. My game is in good shape, I’m feeling good.

“I see a lot of birdies around this course if the weather stays like this so hopefully I can make them.”

Local favourite and world No. 4 Jon Rahm started the second round a shot behind Dunne but finished four off the pace with a 68 as he was left cursing a poor showing on the greens, although he remained optimistic about the weekend.

“It’s a little bitter-sweet just because my ball-striking felt amazing,” said Rahm. “I was just getting a little frustrated that I didn’t make putts.

“I had so many close calls, so many putts that I hit close that just didn’t go in, it’s just incredibly frustrating.” — Reuters