HOJGAARD KEEPS UP HOT STREAK TO RETAIN CONTROL
Rasmus HojgaaRd followed up Thursday’s course recordequalling 62 with a 65 to build a commanding six-shot lead at the halfway stage of the Cazoo open de France.
morning starter Hojgaard — twin brother of fellow dP World Tour winner Nicolai Hojgaard — carded seven birdies and a single bogey on day two at Le golf National to head into the clubhouse on 15 under par.
The chasing pack tried to close the gap in the afternoon but no one could join the dane in double figures under par, with France’s Paul Barjon his nearest challenger on nine under.
Hojgaard was pleased with his performance at the 2018 Ryder Cup venue and vowed not to change much over the weekend as he goes in search of a fourth dP World Tour title.
He said: ‘The course plays tricky, I just played very good as well today. I hit a lot of greens and gave myself good chances. I kept the bogeys away, more or less, so it’s good.
‘I’m not going to change much over the next couple of days. It’s been working fine so far.
‘so, go out there, be patient, see if I can limit the mistakes and make a few birdies.’
Last week’s Italian open winner Robert macIntyre and his fellow scot grant Forrest were the leading British players, sitting in a tie for seventh on five under.
The pair, who began the week by going for dinner in Paris with scotland and Lions rugby star Finn Russell, refused to rule out reeling in the runaway leader but admitted it may prove outwith their control.
‘I’m in position,’ said macIntyre. ‘Rasmus is a bit ahead, but I am going to go out there with the same game plan, stay aggressive and, who knows, maybe I can shoot a low number. seeing Rasmus’ scores lets me know the scores are there, so it lets me be a bit more aggressive.’
Forrest added: ‘When someone’s had two rounds like those, if they keep playing like that, there’s not much you can do and the rest of us are probably playing for second. But, at the same time, it’s one of those golf courses where anything can happen, especially the finish.
‘I’m not counting myself out of it but, if Rasmus continues like that, it’s out of our control.’ lTHe united states dominated the opening day of the Presidents Cup in North Carolina, racing to a 4-1 lead against Trevor Immelman’s International side.