El Hangzhou Open reaches its halfway point and gives us the first insights of a tournament that is the last step before the Grand Final of the Road to Mallorca. Speaking exclusively in terms of this event, the reality is that the Armada is putting on a great performance. Sebas García (-11) is in second place alone, two strokes behind the leader, who is none other than Austrian Lukas Nemecz (-13). Additionally, Víctor Pastor (-10) is third, just one stroke behind Sebas. Two other Spaniards, Adri Arnaus (-8) and Albert Boneta (-7), are in the top 20, and Borja Virto (-6) has also comfortably made the cut in China.
Sebas García continues to lead the Armada on the circuit for another week. His performance in the last five events of the year has been remarkable, and in fact, he has strung together his seventh consecutive round under par this Friday. In thirteen of his last fourteen rounds, he has outperformed the course he faced. His fourth place last week secured his spot in Mallorca and left him on the verge of the top 20 with a card right (21st). This week, he aims to break into the places of honour.
He achieved this with a Friday card of 66 strokes. He started with a bogey and added seven more birdies throughout the round, placing him in second place. If things ended as they are, he would be tenth in the Road and with a ticket to the DP World Tour in his pocket. Quite something, in fact, he would be the best Spaniard of the year in the ranking.
The case of Víctor Pastor is also positive. After a video game-like start on the first day, he has had to withstand the course’s challenges. However, he has managed to finish under par and is three strokes behind the leader. Right now, he would make it to the Alcudia event just in time.
Adri Arnaus surely ended the day with a bitter taste. He strung together six birdies and was second alone, everything was going smoothly, but a double bogey four holes from the end and another slip on the final flag dropped him to the top 20. With a good weekend, he can dream of getting closer to the card positions (38th). The Final is already secured.
Albert Boneta and Borja Virto, on the other hand, have 36 more holes ahead to scratch those positions. Albert is 47th in the Road and will undoubtedly have opportunities. Virto will need to get closer to the leading positions. They are well placed but need a strong final sprint.
On the other hand, Santi Tarrío (+1), Lucas Vacarisas (-2), Rocco Repetto (-2), and Quim Vidal (+6) have bid farewell to the tournament early. For the latter two, it’s just a minor setback in their fight for the cards, but for the first two, it has greater implications. Lucas Vacarisas and Santi Tarrío say goodbye to the season in the HotelPlanner Tour. The case of the Galician is particularly painful as he arrived within the top 45 with access to Mallorca, but failing the cut will almost certainly see him surpassed and left at the gates of the Final. Lucas had the opportunity to make a comeback with a good weekend, but a bogey on the last flag of the day forces him to pack his bags and put an end to the year on the circuit.
