The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Two-shot lead for Molinari
Enjoyment key as Italian shoots 66 for second day
Italy’s Edoardo Molinari will take a two-shot lead into the third round of the D+D Real Czech Masters after another flawless performance in Prague.
Molinari carded a second consecutive 66 for a halfway total of 12 under par and the former Ryder Cup player has yet to drop a shot at Albatross Golf Resort as he seeks a fourth European Tour title.
Former champion Thomas Pieters is Molinari’s nearest challenger on 10 under following a second straight 67, with Sweden’s Robert Karlsson, Austrian Matthias Schwab, England’s Sam Horsfield and Chile’s Hugo Leon a shot further back.
Scotland’s Liam Johnston, England’s Lee Slattery and defending champion Andrea Pavan were part of a sevenstrong group on eight under par, four shots off the lead.
“I’m definitely playing differently on the course, I’m giving myself lots of chances,” said Molinari, who won twice in Scotland in 2010 to earn a Ryder Cup wild card and also won the Trophee Hassan II in 2017.
“Even today I could have made a few putts more and it’s just the way it is at the minute. I’m playing very consistently, the equipment change helped me a lot at the beginning of the year.
“At the moment I’m very comfortable, I’m enjoying playing golf. I’ve been going through a tough few years so at the minute I’m just really enjoying myself on the golf course. I’m playing well so life is good at the minute.”
Pieters, who won his maiden title in Prague four years ago but has not recorded an individual victory since 2016, carded two birdies and 13 pars in his first 15 holes before picking up shots on the 16th, 17th and 18th.
“On 15 I told my caddie I was a bit bored today, I was playing well but I wasn’t making anything,” the Belgian told Sky Sports. “I was two under and a few back so it was nice to finish that way.”
Scott Jamieson carded a 67 yesterday to finish at five under, while Richie Ramsay and Robert MacIntyre also made the cut.
Scores on page 20