Guerrier still flawless at halfway stage

France’s Julien Guerrier and Denmark’s Lucas Bjerregaard share the lead at the halfway stage of the Rocco Forte Open at Verdura Golf Club in Sicily.

Guerrier is the only player in the field yet to drop a shot after adding a 65 to his opening 68 to finish nine under par, a total later matched by joint overnight leader Bjerregaard, who returned a 68.

The English duo of Steven Brown and Ryan Evans are a shot off the pace after rounds of 66 and 69 respectively, with France’s Mike Lorenzo-vera another stroke back after a superb 64, the lowest score so far.

David Drysdale was the leading Scot but, after following up his opening 76 with a 71, he looked set to miss the projected cut.

Guerrier regained his playing privileges via the Challenge Tour last season and is already on course for his best season on the European Tour thanks to finishing third in the NBO Oman Open and a top ten in the Spanish Open.

“I’m playing really good,” the 32-year-old said. “I made no bogeys so, in these conditions, in two rounds, to make no bogeys is really good. I come from La Rochelle where it’s very windy so I think it helped me a lot.”