MIKE’S IN THE RIGHT FRAME OF MIND NOW
MIKE LORENZO-VERA revealed a dressing-down off his sports psychologist has his mind focused on a first European Tour title at the Qatar Masters.
Lorenzo-Vera went eight seasons without a topthree finish before the 2017 French Open and lost a play-off in last season’s Rocco Forte Sicilian Open.
But the Frenchman enjoys a share of the lead with South African duo George Coetzee and Justin Harding at Doha Golf Club.
All three have carded back-to-back rounds of 68 to reach eight under, a shot clear of the pack.
Working with Justin Parsons on his swing and fitness coach Kev Duffy on the physical side of the game has paid dividends for Lorenzo-Vera.
But he admits a different mental approach could make the biggest impact.
He said: “We’ve been working really hard on the swing to make it consistent.
“We’ve been working very hard mentally with my psychologist and Justin told me I needed to be more strong and precise on my physical preparation for the swings.
“Kev Duffy helped me a lot to do that then had a great chat last week with my psychologist.
“She’s been kicking my a** because I don’t believe in myself and the fact I can win. So I’m coming here and just thinking about the trophy.”
Richie Ramsay’s hopes of getting his hands on it after a four-year winless drought were boosted by yesterday’s 70.
The Scot bogeyed the par-three 17th only to then birdie the last to sit two off the lead in an eight-way share of eighth on six under. Ramsay, who hit a 68 on day one, said: “To bogey 17, as I did, and not to have birdied 18 would have put a dampener on things with regards to your mindset and attitude.
“You are always looking for any kind of ray light and more so on days when you perform poorly.
“So to get that ray of light on 18 helps you going into the next day and hopefully I can go and shoot a good score.”
Paul Lawrie missed the cut as he added a 72 to his opening-day 80 for an eight-over 152 total.
Borders golfer David Drysdale withdrew with injury after nine second day holes left him struggling on five over.
Fellow Scots Robert Macintyre and Grant Forrest are both on three under having carded 72s.
Scott Jamieson (69) is one further back while the other Scot to make the cut, Liam Johnston, is one under after a 71.