How well the early start this Saturday has suited Iván Cantero (-9) and, especially, Rafa Cabrera Bello (-9). Both resumed their second round at the South African Open at half-past six in the morning, Spanish mainland time, after Friday’s suspension due to lack of light, and their performance has been powerful. So much so that they have thrown themselves into the fight for everything in the remaining 36 holes at the Durban Country Club. The icing on the cake was put by Alejandro del Rey (-4), who made the cut with a magnificent final push.
Cabrera Bello was right yesterday to leave the two-metre birdie putt on the 14th for this morning. The Canary Islander assured that the greens would be better, as is logical, and he did not miss the opportunity. There began a splendid sequence that continued with another great birdie on the 15th and a third to finish on the 18th, a very birdie-able hole, but where you have to make it, no one is credited before playing it. A three-under partial in five holes for a round of 67 strokes. One step from the top 10 and five strokes from the lead. The candidacy is presented.
The same goes for Iván Cantero. The two Spaniards are matching results. They have shot 68 and 67 strokes in the first two rounds. The Asturian had less work to do this morning, but he also resolved it wonderfully. On the 16th, with the 52-degree wedge from the first cut of rough, he left it four metres for birdie. In. Immediately afterwards, he played a great hole on the 17th. Two very good shots to leave another four-metre birdie putt. This one didn’t want to go in. Finally, on the 18th, as we said, the birdie is not guaranteed, he wasn’t very lucky. He hit the green from the tee, but ended up in the bunker and in the worst possible position, downhill. He made a good escape, four metres, but this time the putt didn’t go in.
Thus, Cantero, like Rafa, is five strokes from the lead held by Shaun Norris (-14) and four from second place. Besides being in the battle for victory, they also have the door open to fight for one of the three spots awarded this week for the Open Championship. You know, to the top three in the final standings who are not already qualified. A second objective more than juicy.
The icing on the cake for the Armada this morning was Alejandro del Rey (-4). The Madrid native still has seven holes to finish his round and was obliged to sign at least a two-under-par partial to make the cut right on the number. That’s exactly what he did. First, he signed a great birdie on the 15th, par 3, and then finished the job with a textbook birdie on the 18th. From the tee, he left it right on the rise to the green, executed a perfect chip to twenty centimetres, and left it twenty centimetres. “Without suffering,” admitted the satisfied player to Ten Golf.
In contrast, Joel Moscatel missed the cut, although his final attack was also extraordinary. He needed a seven-under partial in ten holes and wasn’t far from doing it. A great fight. Today, Saturday, the third round will be played, a moving day with Cabrera Bello, Cantero, Campillo, Manu Elvira, and Alex del Rey that will determine who will really fight for the victory and the Open spots on Sunday in the final round.
