Hurley two back in China
Gary Hurley shot a three-under 69 to go into the weekend just two shots behind Oliver Lindell, Niklas Lemke and JC Ritchie in the Hainan Open at Sanya Luhuitou.
The West Waterford man is 41st in the Road to Mallorca and bidding to make the top 45 who qualify for the season-ending Grand Final.
Jonny Caldwell, who is 73rd in the standings, shot 68 to lie six shots off the lead with 12th ranked Conor Purcell eight behind after a 70.
Finland’s Lindell entered the second round at seven under par and he continued to show his good form as he marked his card with one eagle, five birdies and two bogeys to move to 12 under par at the end of day two.
The 26-year-old has finished inside the top ten in his last five events, including a runner up at last week’s Czech Challenge, and he currently sits in ninth position on the Road to Mallorca Rankings with promotion to the DP World Tour in his sights.
“It’s pretty nice to play good golf after so many years,” he said. “I’m really enjoying it. I’ve been really good from tee to green. My putting could have been better today but I hit some really good shots during the day.”
“There were a lot of putts which I missed and I could have gone even lower. But it is what it is. I’m at the top of the leaderboard and I have a good chance for the week. There’s no pressure now and I’m just enjoying it all the time.”
Meanwhile, Ritchie is ready to mount a late charge to move up the Rankings. The 30-year-old South African is currently sitting in 61st place on the Road to Mallorca Rankings, and he is relishing the challenge ahead after he hauled himself into contention for his fifth Challenge Tour title after a second round 68.
“I’ve been playing decent golf for the last six to seven months,” he said. “But I just haven’t really got anything done and put some good scores together.
“I felt good the last couple of months and I’m feeling confident coming into this week. I have always played well under pressure and I’ve got three events to show what I’ve got.”
The third round will get under way at 7:10am local time, with Lindell and Ritchie teeing it up in the final group alongside Lemke at 11:09 am.
