A SUPERB EIGHT-UNDER-PAR round of 63 has seen local favourite Sergio Garcia take charge of the Castello Masters in Valencia, Spain.
Well placed after a 67 on Thursday, the Spaniard – playing on a course he has known since he was a child and seeking his first tour victory in three years – had a steady start to day before an eagle on the par-five eighth gave him some momentum.
Birdies followed on the ninth, 11th, 13th, 14th and 16th, leaving the 31-year-old two clear of Alexander Noren in second on -12 and four clear of the rest of the field.
“(My game is) getting there,” Garcia said afterwards.
“It’s not quite there yet – sometimes I have a little bit of a hard time hitting a draw, but when my little fade works out I can keep it in play.”
Swede Noren carded a flawless round of eight birdies – four each on the front and back nine – to finish for a 63 of his own, and there is a gaggle of three golfers in a share of third on -8.
Overnight leader Ross McGowan of England, who is fighting for his European Tour future, had a 70 to show for his efforts on Friday and is joined by Gary Orr and Marcus Fraser in leading the chase of Garcia and Noren.
Richard McEvoy, Gonzalo Fdez-Castano, Anthony Wall and Ricardo Gonzalez are one stroke back in sixth on seven-under.
Best of the Irish is Damien McGrane on -3 after a round of 70. Northern Ireland’s Michael Hoey (74) is on -1 and likely to make the cut along with Peter Lawrie (69), who is level par after the opening two days. Gareth Maybin (+3) and Shane Lowry (+9) miss out, however.
Tom Lewis’ fairytale week has also come to an end. The rookie won the Portugal Masters last week – in only his third event as a professional – but has been forced to withdraw from the tournament as he is suffering with a virus.