The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
New pro with ‘nothing to lose’ earns share of lead
Langasque comes to fore at European masters in Switzerland
France’s Romain Langasque claimed a share of the halfway lead in the Omega European Masters as he chased a first European Tour title just months after turning professional.
Langasque added a flawless 63 to his opening 68 at Crans-sur-Sierre to finish nine under par, a total later matched by England’s Richard Bland and Australia’s Richard Green.
The 21-year-old Langasque only turned professional after finishing 39th in the Masters in April, his trip to Augusta National secured by winning the Amateur Championship at Carnoustie last year.
But the world No 209 is already set to earn his full European Tour card via the Challenge Tour – he tops the rankings after six top-five finishes – and could secure a two-year exemption with victory in the Swiss Alps.
“I’m quite sure I will be on the European Tour next year, so I play without pressure. If I play good that’s cool, and if I play bad then it is no problem. I have nothing to lose. I have no pressure, and maybe that’s why I can play good,” he said.
In contrast to Langasque, Bland and Green have played more than 800 European Tour events between them, with Bland still seeking his first victory.
The 43-year-old carded seven birdies and one bogey in his 64.
Left-hander Green – whose last of three wins came in 2010 – held the outright lead after a hat-trick of birdies from the 13th before dropping his only shot of the day on the 17th.
Sweden’s Alex Noren matched Langasque’s 63 to share fourth place with Australian Scott Hend and Canada’s Richard Lee on eight under, with England’s Andrew Johnston in a five-strong group a stroke behind.
Paul Lawrie and David Drsydale are top Scots on two under after rounds of 68, one better than Richie Ramsay and two ahead of Stephen Gallacher.
Marc Warren, Scott Jamieson and Craig Lee missed the cut.
Defending champion Danny Willett ran up a quadruple-bogey on the 12th after twice finding the water short of the green.
Willett bounced back with birdies on the 14th and 18th to finish three under par and saw playing partner and Ryder Cup team-mate Matt Fitzpatrick produce an even better finish to make the cut.
Fitzpatrick opened with a 75, but went 10 shots better yesterday.
The final member of the Ryder Cup threesome saw his birdie chip on the 18th catch the edge of the hole and stay out. Sullivan’s 67 meant he missed the cut by a shot, having opened up with a 74.