Paris match is just perfect for Team Drysdale
DAVID DRYSDALE has discovered a new kind of marital bliss after employing wife Vicky as his full-time caddie.
Indeed, their working relationship paid dividends yesterday with a superb round of 69 at the French Open in Paris, which left him within touching distance of the leaders.
‘It’s working well,’ said the 42-year-old Scot. ‘And she’s certainly not scared to kick me up the backside when I need it.
‘Vicky did caddie for me a couple of times three years ago and has filled in three or four times since. She was on my bag in December at Leopard Creek when I finished 11th in the Alfred Dunhill Championship.
‘I’ve tried a couple of other caddies but they didn’t work out because I felt I could work things out on the course better myself without their influence.’
Vicky took the job full-time before the start of last week’s BMW International Open in Munich, only for Drysdale to miss the cut.
‘I battled with it off the tee in Germany, which is normally my strength,’ he admitted. ‘I only hit 13 fairways in two days.
‘But we came to Versailles on Monday to practise hard and work with my coach Jamie Gough, and it’s improved tenfold here.
‘Vicky’s got to know my numbers and how far I hit the ball with certain clubs.’
Asked for her views on their working relationship, Vicky said: ‘I’m really enjoying it but it’s torture, too, because it’s the only time David is ever in charge!’
Drysdale is five shots behind joint-leaders Adrian Otaegui of Spain and America’s Peter Uihlein.
But the rest of the Scots in the field at Le Grand National have had a torrid time, with Stephen Gallacher, Russell Knox, Duncan Stewart, Scott Jamieson, Richie Ramsay and Marc Warren all missing the cut.
Otaegui set the clubhouse target on day two after England’s Paul Waring was unable to build on his overnight advantage.
Waring held a two-shot lead after an impressive opening 64 and began his second round with two birdies in his first five holes.
However, after reaching the turn in 33, he double-bogeyed the first after finding the water and almost spinning his fourth shot back into the same hazard.
A bogey on the fourth meant Waring had to settle for a 72 to lie two shots behind Otaegui, who carded a 66. Later on, Uihlein shot a 67 for a share of the lead on eight under par.
One shot behind the pair in joint-second are England’s Tommy Fleetwood after a 68 and Alexander Bjork of Sweden.
English duo Paul Waring and Nathan Kimsey are a shot further back on six under.
Graeme Storm, who won here in 2007, carded a 66, which left him three off the lead alongside fellow Englishman Ross Fisher, who shot 67, and Ryder Cup star Thomas Pieters, who finished with a 71.
‘I putted well, that’s the only positive out of today,’ said the Belgian.
Play was delayed for a period by the threat of lightning.