Well, Toni Kroos and Bernhard Langer (PAR) have ‘retired’ on the same day. And it wasn’t the best day for the Armada, the golf one, of course, nor the football one, although in the latter case it was enough to get into the semi-finals of the European Championship, while in the 18 holes we were a bit weak. With two interesting options, Manu Elvira (-5) and Alfredo García Heredia (-5), but nothing more. Finally, the -2 didn’t make it, so Miguel Ángel Jiménez was left out. A pity for the great battle that the Malaga player has fought.
As expected, Ewen Ferguson (-13) remains the leader of the BMW International Open, although instead of having a five-stroke lead, as he left it in the morning, he has been left with two due to the good performance of Romain Langasque (-11). A dangerous rival where there may be. Five strokes behind are Patrick Reed (-8), Bernd Wiesberger (-8), Jordan Smith (-8), Matthew Southgate (-8) and David Micheluzzi (-8).
But let’s get to what’s most interesting right now. How does the classification for the Open Championship through the Race to Dubai stand after the cut-off day of the last counting tournament? Heads and tails. Happiness because Nacho Elvira, despite missing the cut, has secured his place in the Open, while Otaegui has got himself into a mess and depends on others. He will have to cross his fingers hoping not to be overtaken by anyone.
Although Nacho Elvira has missed the cut, the rest of the results have benefited him. He can only be overtaken by Matteo Manassero, Cousaud, Hill, Veerman, Wiesberger and Lacroix. The thing is, these last five players would only pass him by winning the tournament, something that obviously only one can do. So, in the worst case scenario, Nacho would only be overtaken by two players, so he has at least the fifth place for the Open guaranteed. So, there are already seven Spaniards in the Open at Royal Troon and Elvira’s second consecutive British. The Cantabrian joins Jon Rahm, David Puig, Jorge Campillo, Ángel Hidalgo, Luis Masaveu and Jaime Montojo.
Meanwhile, Otaegui now has eleven threats to watch out for this weekend:
– Cousaud needs to be at least 3rd on his own and is currently 48th.
– Hill needs to be at least 2nd tied with three players and is currently eighth.
– Veerman needs to be at least 2nd tied with one player and is currently 48th.
– Wiesberger and Lacroix need to be at least 2nd on their own and are 3rd and 33rd, respectively.
– Gumberg, Syme, Jamieson, Gavin Green, Manu Elvira and Ferguson need to at least win the tournament and do the maths. Of all of them, the big threat is Ferguson who is precisely first. The good thing is that Manu Elvira still has options, although he needs a great weekend, as he is eight strokes behind the leader.
