Sergio is the man to beat in Spain
Defending champion Sergio Garcia opened up a four-shot lead to take command going into the final round of the weathershortened Andalucía Valderrama Masters, hosted by the Sergio Garcia Foundation.
Garcia shot a bogey-free round of 64 to get to 10-under-par at the end of round two as he seeks his third win at this event, with first-round leader Ashley Chesters of England his nearest challenger at six-under.
A series of weather delays on the first two days prevented Garcia – who also won the 2011 edition of the Andalucía Valderrama Masters – from playing at all on Friday.
After more inclement weather disrupted the early starters again on day three, it had already been announced that the event would be reduced to 54 holes before he began his second round yesterday afternoon.
Garcia made a fast start when he got out onto the course, chipping in from just off the second green to pick up his first shot of the day as he went on to fire seven birdies to match his lowest-ever score at Real Club Valderrama.
Spanish pair Alvaro Quiros and Gonzalo Fernandez-castano and Scot Marc Warren are six shots off the lead, and two behind Chesters, at four-under-par.
Fernandez-castano and Warren came into the week sitting at 125th and 144th respectively in the Race to Dubai and require a strong finish to retain their playing privileges.
Ireland’s Shane Lowry and Englishman Lee Westwood are one shot further back on three-under-par,
Garcia was delighted with his round.
He said: “The conditions were pretty favourable. I did see a four or five under if you play well, but it was one of those days when I struck the ball really, really well.
“Every time I had to get up and down I did and I was very consistent throughout the whole day, which obviously makes a big difference.
“Obviously, we would have loved the tournament to go 72 holes but unfortunately we can’t control the weather and it’s been a little bit rough for us this week.”
Warren said after his second round: “It’s been a long two rounds of golf with all the delays we’ve had but I’m really pleased with the position I’m in.
“Four-under after two rounds is very pleasing. It’s tricky when you come back out after a storm, the wind is changing direction so the shot you thought you had is different.”
The Valderrama Masters is the last chance on the European Tour for the players to reach the top 116 in the Race to Dubai.