Welshman Mark Mouland will take a three shot lead into the final round of the Swiss Seniors Open after carding another bogey-free round for a score of 12 under par at Golf Club Bad Ragaz.
The 56 year old, whose last European Senior Tour win came in 2011, carded a second round five under par 65 to move clear of the chasing pack after starting the day tied with Clark Dennis and Andrew Oldcorn on seven under.
Mouland, a short-game specialist, was understandably delighted with his second round score in sweltering conditions in east Switzerland.
“I don’t think I’ve had two bogey-free rounds in a row ever, so that’s a first for me,” said Mouland. “It would be great if I could get another tomorrow.
“I didn’t play as well as I did yesterday and missed a few putts on the back nine, so I think 65 is a true reflection of how I played.
“Hopefully the weather is good again tomorrow and everyone will be in for a low-scoring treat again. There are a lot of birdies out there.”
American rookie Clark Dennis, playing in just his fourth European Senior Tour event, carded a second round 68, keeping in touch with Mouland at the top of the leaderboard.
“It’s always good to play with the guys who are leading because you know what you need to do,” said Dennis. “I’ll be in the penultimate group tomorrow and I’ll know what I need to do in real time.
“It’s golf, you don’t want to be three shots back, but it’s out of my control. If someone goes out and shoots 63 tomorrow, there’s nothing I can do.
“But I feel like if I can get the putter going tomorrow, I’ll have a chance. It’s a birdie course and I only made three today. I’m starting to understand this course a little better though.”
Dennis and Oldcorn trail Mouland on nine under par, with former John Jacobs Trophy winner Paul Wesselingh joining them in a share of second place.
The Englishman, an eight-time winner on the Senior Tour, won the Swiss Seniors Open in 2013, but endured his first trophy-less year in 2016.
“I’ve had a difficult 18 months, I’ve not had my form,” said Wesselingh. “So it’s nice to get back up on the leaderboard. I love the place and this course, I feel comfortable out there and I think I’m playing well.
“Mark is playing great, so it’ll be a chase for us, but anyone can win because it’s so bunched up.
“At the moment, I’m not going out there with any expectations; I’m just delighted to be back on the leaderboard again.”
Tied for sixth place on eight under par are two-time Senior Tour winner Philip Golding, former Ryder Cup player Phillip Price and former Senior Major Champion Mark McNulty. Australia’s Mike Harwood and China’s Lianwei Zhang share ninth place a shot further back.
Scores after round two:
128 M Mouland (Wal) 63 65,
131 T Thelen (USA) 64 67, C Dennis (USA) 63 68, A Oldcorn (Sco) 63 68, P Wesselingh (Eng) 65 66,
132 P Golding (Eng) 67 65, P Price (Wal) 67 65, M McNulty (Irl) 64 68,
133 M Harwood (Aus) 65 68, L Zhang (Chn) 68 65,
135 M Farry (Fra) 69 66, E Toledo (Mex) 71 64, C Williams (RSA) 68 67, S Luna (Esp) 67 68, R Rafferty (Nir) 67 68, T Wiratchant (Tha) 73 62, G Wolstenholme (Eng) 68 67, P Wilson (Eng) 71 64,
136 G Orr (Sco) 69 67, M Atlevi (Swe) 66 70, P Walton (Irl) 71 65, C Monasterio (Arg) 69 67,
137 E Darcy (Irl) 71 66, C Mason (Eng) 68 69, G Brand Jnr (Sco) 68 69, J Spence (Eng) 66 71, J Sandelin (Swe) 73 64, J Kingston (RSA) 68 69,
138 M Martin (Esp) 73 65, P O’Malley (Aus) 71 67, R Drummond (Sco) 72 66, P Linhart (Esp) 66 72, J Sallat (Fra) 70 68,
139 G Brand (Eng) 70 69, B Lane (Eng) 68 71, D Gilford (Eng) 71 68, B McGovern (Irl) 73 66, G Turner (Nzl) 66 73,
140 P Fowler (Aus) 73 67, P Eales (Eng) 68 72, S Brown (Eng) 71 69, A Bossert (Sui) 71 69,
141 G Rusnak (USA) 72 69,
142 S Tinning (Den) 68 74, J Quiros (Esp) 71 71, M Mackenzie (Eng) 69 73,
143 J Rivero (Esp) 74 69,
144 A Mednickson (Swe) 77 67,
148 P Mitchell (Eng) 74 74, G Marks (Eng) 74 74,
149 S Richardson (Eng) 76 73, S Dodd (Wal) 77 72,
150 C Rocca (Ita) 78 72,
152 V Garcia (Esp) 78 74
