“It was needed, something like this was needed,” confessed Ángel Hidalgo (-9) to Ten Golf shortly after handing in a 67-stroke card in the second round of the Ras al Khaimah Championship to secure the cut and, above all, look up in the ranking. “More or less since July I have missed quite a few cuts and in many cases by one or two and that is tough. Now it’s time to enjoy the weekend and try to take advantage to start adding up in the Race to Dubai,” he confessed relieved.
Beyond the result and having positioned himself in the hunt for the top 10 of the tournament, the golfer from Malaga was especially satisfied with his performances from the tee. Yesterday he did not hit the ball well, despite getting ahead with a notable 68-stroke card, but the sensations today have been very different. “I managed to move better,” he said happily.
The balance has been six birdies and a solitary bogey. Just two mistakes in 36 holes and with a good performance with the putter, undoubtedly the weapon of mass destruction that is in Hidalgo’s bag. Today he has put in a couple from the antegreen, has saved a great par at 1 and has put in another four and a half meters at 16. Also important is the recovery he has carried out at 17, with a great approach and putt from outside the green.
Hidalgo is the spearhead of the Armada among the many who played this Friday morning. The harvest has not been bad at all. Sebastián García Rodríguez (-6), Alejandro del Rey (-5), Jorge Campillo (-5), Nacho Elvira (-4) and Rafa Cabrera Bello (-4) have also made the cut. Sebas is playing very well from tee to green, leaving up to three absolutely given birdies, Alex has a partial of nine under par in the last 19 holes played, Jorge has been somewhat slowed down today because the sensations are not the best, Nacho has saved an epic cut, after a round yesterday in which the easiest thing would have been to make 80 strokes and Rafa has put in a great putt of about five meters at hole 18 to ensure his presence at the weekend. The cut should be set at -3. The downside of the week has been for Santi Tarrio (-2), Adrián Otaegui (-1) and Iván Cantero (PAR), who have missed the cut.
Beyond the Spaniards, the leader is Callum Shinkwin (-13), with a one-stroke advantage are Zander Lombard (-12), who has started the year like a motorcycle, and two over Fabrizio Zanotti (-11). However, the man of the morning in Ras al Khaimah this Friday has been Nicolas Colaserts (-10). He handed in a 64-stroke card. A trip back in time. The last time the veteran vice captain of the Ryder Cup in Rome and great entertainer of the public made 64 strokes was on November 13, 2021. Two years, two months and 13 days have passed. Anyone would erase the smile from the charismatic Belgian player today.
