Sept 14 (Reuters) – Britain’s Richard Bland shot a sizzling
six-under 66 to lead the way after the Italian Open second round
in Turin on Friday, a score matched by Ryder Cup-bound Martin
Kaymer.
Bland finished with a 12-under tally of 132, one ahead of
fellow Briton Marc Warren (65), Frenchman Gregory Bourdy (64),
Spain’s Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano (65) and South African Garth
Mulroy (67).
German Kaymer, without a victory since the WGC-Champions
Tournament in China in November, was among a group of players on
136 while Ryder Cup team mate Francesco Molinari (69) was flying
the flag for Italy on 137.
Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts, the other player in the field who
will represent Europe at the Ryder Cup in Illinois in two weeks’
time, carded a 67 for 138.
Kaymer started his round with a hat-trick of birdies from
the 10th and did not drop a stroke all day.
Bland is trying to secure his first European Tour win and
needs a good week as he bids to retain his playing privileges
for next season.
The 39-year-old Englishman is 126th on the money list with
only the top 115 keeping their cards.
“I’ve had a tough couple of years but that’s behind me now
and I’m just trying to move forward and improve every day,”
Bland told reporters.
“I don’t go for the panic button which I might’ve done five
or six years ago.”
(Writing by Tony Jimenez; editing by Ken Ferris)
© Thomson Reuters 2012 All rights reserved
