Ryan Gerard produced a stellar round of 65 on Friday to move two strokes clear at the halfway mark of the BMW PGA Championship.
Related: Aaron Rai has a measure of Wentworth Club
The American went bogey free on day two at Wentworth Club, mixing five birdies with an eagle throughout the afternoon to reach 12 under par and lead the way in Surrey.
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Gerard, having opened with a 67, was one stroke back heading into his second round, and remained in touch with the leaders as he picked up four shots in 13 holes.
The World Number 21 entered the West Course’s famous pair of par-five finishers two behind, an eagle-birdie close seeing him leap to the top of the pack after 36 holes.
The 27-year-old will now set his sights on a maiden Rolex Series victory, having earned DP World Tour status by winning last season’s Barracuda Championship and finishing in a tie for 38th in his debut at this event last year.
Adam Scott and Filippo Celli are the nearest challengers, the pair carding respective second rounds of 67 and 66 in the morning wave to set the initial lead on Friday at ten under par.
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Scott, having started on the ninth tee, had to settle for four pars and a bogey over his opening five holes, before a birdie at the par three 14 sparked a run of six in a row.
The Australian mixed a further two gains with as many bogeys on his way home, as he eyes his own maiden Rolex Series victory in his 11th appearance at Wentworth.
Italian Celli registered four birdies and a bogey across his opening nine holes to go out in 32, picking up a further shot on all three of the back-nine par fives to post the low tally.
The 26-year-old, in his 67th start, will be in pursuit of his first win on golf’s Global Tour across the weekend.
Spain’s Manuel Elvira flew up the leaderboard with a 66 of his own to finish the day in a share of fourth at nine under par, alongside US PGA Championship winner Aaron Rai.
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American JJ Spaun, Spaniard Nacho Elvira, Englishman Ross Fisher, Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy and New Zealander Ryan Fox round out the top ten a further shot back.
Player quotes
Ryan Gerard: Just a really, really solid day of golf. Conditions at times were pretty difficult with the wind picking up. Wentworth is not easy with some of these pin locations they like to stick us with during the tournament. You’ve just got to be really patient, pick your spots, and do a good job. If you get out of position, take your medicine and hit the shot that needs to be hit and not try to force the issue.
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We did a really good job of hitting quality shots. I’ve been hitting the driver and -wood good all year. Feels right in my wheelhouse when I stand on some of these tee boxes. I like the way the holes are shaped and I feel good when I have the clubs in my hand.
I dreamed of playing golf growing up, and this is my dream. Sometimes you need a kick in the pants to remember that, when you are mad at yourself because you hit a bad shots, that’s okay. But there’s a reason why you play and this is the best thing in the world that you can do.
I think the course looks very similar to courses that I’ve grown up on, and I feel very comfortable with a lot of the tee shots and angles and things like that. So you know, it’s a golf tournament that you have to be prepared to play. Our job is to be prepared for that week and I feel like the first year is kind of difficult sometimes but second year, you should be ready to go.
Adam Scott: I’m pleased. I’m really pleased with it, actually. Early start, a quick turnaround. Took me a couple holes to kind of find the rhythm, certainly on the greens, anyway. Then I got going. Made a bunch of birdies, a few bogeys and in great shape going into the weekend.
This event – let’s put the majors aside for a second – but this certainly is kind of top three on my list outside of major championships. I think of THE PLAYERS Championship, probably the Aussie Open, and then this one is right there. It’s an incredible event. The atmosphere is amazing, and the course is just a great challenge, as well.
I played so well yesterday in those tough conditions, which is a great way to start, because it could easily go the other way and you’re in for a long week or a short one if it’s really bad. I kind of lowered any expectations this morning a little bit. Feeling like it would be hard to replicate the ball-striking of yesterday. But found a few putts going in, which was helpful and had a bunch of birdies, a couple bogeys, but overall, it added up to a good score and I’m in good shape.
