In a challenging second day of the second Stage of the School, due to suspensions for water or thunderstorms, the Spanish Armada has found itself in a slightly more complicated scenario: if on Thursday there were eight players, out of the sixteen present, who were inside or at the very doors of the target, today there are only three. But there is still a long way to go, not all the news coming from the four venues is bad, and, moreover, it is not a fantasy to consider the possibility of a comeback in several cases.
Desert Springs (Almería). At this venue, the top 22 earn a place in next week’s Final. Albert Boneta (-4), the only Spaniard present on the Almerian course, has lost ground compared to Thursday after signing a round of 74 strokes, two over par for the day, a score that has left him two strokes from the target, which is currently at -6. As you can see, nothing that can’t be overcome in 36 holes. The young Catalan, therefore, still has much to say after a tough day in which he signed four bogeys and only two birdies.
Golf Las Pinaillas (Albacete). At this venue, the top 23 earn a place in next week’s Final. Joseba Torres (-8), the nephew of a legend like José María Olazábal, continues to meet the highest expectations. The Donostian delivered a 66 today, five under par for the day, placing him in fourth position, three strokes behind the leader, the German Philipp Katich (-11), and with a cushion of four strokes over the target line, which is currently at -4. It’s the big news of the day. Additionally, the young Asturian amateur Pablo Alperi (-4) also remains within the hot zone, right on the target line, after signing a PAR card. Things didn’t go as smoothly for him today, but he got the job done. Moreover, Alejandro Cañizares (-2) has decisively reacted upwards, with a round of 67 strokes, four under par for the day, a result that leaves him just two strokes from the target line at the moment. There was a suspension today on the Manchego course due to a thunderstorm, and Manuel Ballesteros couldn’t finish his round.
Isla Canela Links (Huelva). At this venue, the top 23 earn a place in next week’s Final. The day couldn’t start until 2:30 PM due to the torrential rains that fell over the province of Huelva. We place the Spaniards at the time of suspension, considering that, roughly speaking, the target line could be provisionally and approximately around -4. Javier Barcos (-7) was left at the tee of the 3rd. As he started on the 10th, he managed to complete eleven holes. His score for the day is three under par, and he should be the only one currently within the target line of the top 23. Quim Vidal (-3) was making a more than interesting manoeuvre on this second day and shouldn’t be too far from the cut. He started on the 10th hole and was five under par with four holes to go. A magnificent operation. José Luis Adarraga (-2), who started on the 10th hole, was left at the tee of the 1st, with a score of two under par for a total of -2. Rowing. Javier Sainz (-2) had to stop his round on the 15th hole, par 5. He missed a good eagle chance from about three metres and got the birdie. He was two under par for the day, the same result in the total. Víctor Pastor (PAR) managed to get a very good performance from his first holes. He was left at the tee of the 11th and was three under par. And Alejandro Aguilera (+2) reached the green of the 3rd hole and finished it, his 12th hole. He is one under par for the day for a total of +2. The putt was elusive in the first round, but he still has some room for manoeuvre with almost two and a half rounds ahead.
Good weather is expected on Saturday at Isla Canela, so the second round will be completed first, and it is not ruled out that the third round could also be finished before the light fades.
Fontanals Golf Club (Girona). At this venue, the top 22 earn a place in next week’s Final. The best Spaniard after 36 holes is Borja Virto (-5), who signed a 68 today and is right on the target line, which is precisely at -5. Luis Masaveu (-4) suffered the tremendous impact of a quadruple bogey on the 18th hole, the ninth of his round, to deliver a score of 74 strokes, although the young Madrilenian is just one stroke from the target, with all doors open. Mario Galiano (-2) couldn’t advance positions after delivering a card of 71, at par for the course, although he is still in position, so to speak. Lucas Vacarisas (-1) and especially Álvaro Quirós (+2) have made life very difficult for themselves after signing scores of 74 strokes.
