Schwab takes lead come hail or shine

Austrian defies the elements in Denmark

Austria’s Matthias Schwab defied miserable conditions to claim the halfway lead as he chases a first European Tour title in the Made in Denmark event.

Strong winds and heavy bursts of rain made scoring difficult on day two at Himmerland Golf & Spa Resort, but Schwab carded a superb, bogey-free 66 to finish eight under par, a shot ahead of Spain’s Alejandro Canizares and France’s Romain Langasque.

Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre, who was joint second in the British Masters a fortnight ago, is two shots further back alongside Alvaro Quiros and Bernd Wiesberger, with Ireland’s Paul Dunne part of a four-strong group on four under.

Schwab, 24, said: “I’m feeling good, I’m happy about how the day went and a little bit happy that it’s over too because, especially early on, it was very difficult and not much fun to be out there with rain and wind and very cold.

“In the end it turned out to be a good day. I usually play OK on courses which are tougher than average on Tour so that suits my game well.

“I guess I’m a good wind player too, really I’m just trying to do my own thing and see what comes out.”

Dunne is seeking a first European Tour title since winning the British Masters in 2017 and offered an honest assessment when asked if another victory was on the cards.

“No not really, I haven’t been playing very well,” Dunne said. “This is a course I feel comfortable on and I can manage my way around, but I wouldn’t say I’m trending in a great direction.

“My last few months haven’t been brilliant but I’m definitely seeing some good signs and sharpness around the greens which is kind of the key round here when it gets windy.

“There’s four or five holes you just want to get through, get a par out of them, and you can take some chances once you get through 13.”

Defending champion Matt Wallace, who finished joint third in the US PGA Championship last week, fell six shots off the pace after struggling to a 73, while Welshman Bradley Dredge had to withdraw due to a heart condition.

Scott Jamieson, Grant Forrest, Richie Ramsay and David Law all made the weekend but Marc Warren, Stephen Gallacher and Liam Johnston missed the cut.

Aberdeen’s Law picked up four shots in three holes from the 14th in his 69 to make it on the mark at one over but Warren’s eight at the 12th in a 75 proved costly as he finished one outside the cut mark.

Matthias Schwab of Austria gives the thumbs up after playing his third shot into the seventh green during the second round of the Made in Denmark tournament yesterday. Picture: Getty.