Martin Couvra (-11) remains the leader of the Turkish Airlines Open after signing a bogey-free round of 66 in the second day. This year 2025 marks the debut of the young Frenchman as a full member of the DP World Tour, but it is not too surprising to see him up there…
Couvra, in fact, arrived in Turkey with the first major goal of the season already achieved, as he had already secured enough points to retain his card. Winning a title is a bigger challenge, but this week he is certainly giving himself a great opportunity. He is one of those players who has a certain appeal, and it’s not just because he looks even younger than his 22 years. He doesn’t hit very long, a handicap that might catch up with him sooner or later, depending on the event, but he’s not among the shortest either and he has nerve and talent. In short, this Turkish Airlines is his fifteenth appearance on the European circuit, but there are more and more young talents ready to shake up the hierarchy. They respect nothing and are in a hurry, as it should be.
Wilco Nienaber (-9), who today signed the best round of the day (65) and is in second place, two shots behind the leader, also emerged a few years ago with the idea of taking everything by storm. He is not much older than Couvra, at 25, although golf quickly put him in his place: you may be a big hitter, but this is not going to be a walk in the park, it seemed to tell him. It’s a matter of time for him, many think (we think). We’ll see if this is the week he takes a step forward, after a humbling experience in the second division in 2024.
Both Couvra and Nienaber will find a tough competitor in Haotong Li (-8). The Chinese player also signed a 65 today, just like Nienaber, but his story goes back further. Pay attention: Li hasn’t missed a cut since the last Open de España, in October 2024. While this is a good statistic, it might not seem too impressive, but he has never before in his career strung together thirteen consecutive tournaments without missing a cut, and as is well known, he has already won a tournament this year (Qatar). This explosive player, brave and intense like few others, reached World Number 32, but something tells us that it is now that he is truly building his best, most consistent version. With 36 holes to go, and despite being three shots off the lead, it is very reasonable to declare him the main candidate for victory.
Looking at the Spanish Armada, Jorge Campillo (-6) has also earned the label of contender. And possibly even Ángel Ayora (-4). Additionally, Rafa Cabrera Bello (-2) made the cut after signing a notable round of 68, along with Nacho Elvira (-2), Santi Tarrio (-1), and Manu Elvira (-1). Missing the cut were Alejandro del Rey (+1), Ángel Hidalgo (+2), Joel Moscatel (+2), Adri Arnaus (+2), Iván Cantero (+3), Albert Boneta (+3), Sebas García (+4), and Alfredo García Heredia (+5).
