Switzerland’s Alec Roberts and Italy’s Federico Elli made full use of the late-summer conditions to card rounds of 67 and 65 respectively to share the lead on seven-under par after two rounds at the 2013 UniCredit PGA Professional Championship of Europe.
Six birdies and one bogey from Roberts helped the Swiss Professional (pictured right) to capitalise on a steady two-under first round at Pravets Golf & Spa Resort, where soaring temperatures have left the course firm and quick.
“I played really well today and started to get a bit nervous so didn’t think about my score at all, I really had no idea coming up the last few holes. I just tried to take my time and not make any silly mistakes,” said the British-born, Swiss player. “It’s a fun course to play – even with a wedge in you still have some options.”
But round of the day came from Italian PGA Professional, Federico Elli (pictured left), whose seven-under 65 consisted of a single birdie on the front-nine and no less than six birdies in a row on the back-nine, equalling the tournament course record at Pravets Golf Club.
“It’s strange because it’s the first time that I’ve made six birdies in a row with a scorecard in my pocket so it’s a good feeling,” said the Italian of his stunning second round play. “I don’t have a strategy, I just try to play the best I can and that’s all.”
Hot on their heels is Scotland’s Craig Sutherland who carded a four-under 68 that included six birdies, to take a total of six-under par through to the third round.
“I played nicely today – I was two-over after five holes and had to dig deep really to get back to level,” explained Sutherland who carded six birdies in his round. “Some of the pin positions out there really determine whether you’re going to be able to hit it close or not, so you just have to be really patient – that’s really key out there.”
Fellow Scot, Craig Matheson, lies in fourth place at four-under par after a Round 1 72 and Round 2 68, whilst three players – Benjamin Nicolay (France), Corsin Caviezel (Switzerland) and Marin Stahan (Croatia) – sit at three-under for the tournament in a tie for fifth place.
Full Round 2 results can be found here: http://eur.pe/17vapHk. Round 3 begins at 08:30am EEST.
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For more information on the 2013 UniCredit PGA Professional Championship of Europe visit the Tournament Hub Page, follow @PGAsofEurope and search #PassportToPravets on Twitter, or like the Confederation of Professional Golf Facebook Page.