A SECOND CONSECUTIVE round of 66 has seen Michael Hoey maintain his position at the sharp end of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship leaderboard.
The Northern Ireland golfer holds the overnight lead along with Tommy Fleetwood of England on a tally of -12, the pair one shot ahead of former Open champion Louis Oosthuizen.
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Playing the Kingsbarns course on Friday, Hoey surged into an early outright lead and completed a near flawless card of seven birdies and a bogey.
Speaking after his second round, Hoey said: “I’ve always enjoyed this pro-am format,” the 32 year old said.
“A couple of years ago I was tied for the lead after two rounds. It’s slow, but it really takes your mind off stuff between shots.”
There is plenty of other Irish interest on the leaderboard with Graeme McDowell keeping up his early form in Scotland, a second round of 67 leaving him two strokes off the leading pace. A run of three consecutive birdies on 13, 14 and 15 – as he battled Carnoustie’s challenge – has him in a tie for fourth along with Australian Daniel Gaunt, Markus Brier and home favourite Marc Warren.
A 69 has Shane Lowry sharing 19th with Lee Westwood as well as compatriots Peter Lawrie and Rory McIlroy, who climbed well up the standings courtesy five-under-par round of 67.
It was a rather disappointing day for Padraig Harrington though. The Dubliner started off his Scottish adventure with a couple of early birdies on Thursday but has slipped right back into the chasing pack after only recording a one-under-par round of 71 on Friday.
Hoey remains the man to beat in Scotland
A SECOND CONSECUTIVE round of 66 has seen Michael Hoey maintain his position at the sharp end of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship leaderboard.
The Northern Ireland golfer holds the overnight lead along with Tommy Fleetwood of England on a tally of -12, the pair one shot ahead of former Open champion Louis Oosthuizen.
Playing the Kingsbarns course on Friday, Hoey surged into an early outright lead and completed a near flawless card of seven birdies and a bogey.
Speaking after his second round, Hoey said: “I’ve always enjoyed this pro-am format,” the 32 year old said.
“A couple of years ago I was tied for the lead after two rounds. It’s slow, but it really takes your mind off stuff between shots.”
There is plenty of other Irish interest on the leaderboard with Graeme McDowell keeping up his early form in Scotland, a second round of 67 leaving him two strokes off the leading pace. A run of three consecutive birdies on 13, 14 and 15 – as he battled Carnoustie’s challenge – has him in a tie for fourth along with Australian Daniel Gaunt, Markus Brier and home favourite Marc Warren.
A 69 has Shane Lowry sharing 19th with Lee Westwood as well as compatriots Peter Lawrie and Rory McIlroy, who climbed well up the standings courtesy five-under-par round of 67.
It was a rather disappointing day for Padraig Harrington though. The Dubliner started off his Scottish adventure with a couple of early birdies on Thursday but has slipped right back into the chasing pack after only recording a one-under-par round of 71 on Friday.
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Alfred Dunhill Links Championship Links Michael Hoey Rory McIlroy Shane Lowry