Ángel Hidalgo (-13) has experienced a Friday of contradictions at the ISCO Championship in Kentucky. He played wonderfully the first nine holes, which he started with two birdies, but the putter prevented him from reaching the halfway point of his round with at least four strokes under par on the day. However, in his second nine, where he was not as sharp as he would like, the results did accompany him, with four more birdies for a round of 66 strokes that could have been even better.
The Marbella native regretted after his round the putt for birdie from just over a metre and a half missed on his last flag of the day. However, the overall balance is unbeatable. After his brilliant 65 on Thursday, he has endorsed on this second day of competition the good connection he has with the course, despite his preparation thought for ‘hitters’, keeping intact his chances of fighting for victory during the weekend. A triumph that would undoubtedly change his life.
All hands on deck @ISCOChamp. pic.twitter.com/Am53a0m4DT
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 12, 2024
Let’s remember that in addition to distributing points for the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour and offering a significant economic prize, the winner of this event, if like in Hidalgo’s case is one of the 50 players participating from the European tour, will get a year of exemption on the American circuit, throughout 2025. And after 36 holes, the dream is even closer, with the Spanish player tied in fifth place, just three strokes from the lead.
“I played very well today. It’s true that I played better the first nine than the second nine, although the result was different, but well, the difference was that in the first nine the putt was not quite right and in the second nine I putted better. A pity the last one, from five feet. But happy and looking forward to a good weekend”, he acknowledged. “I hope the weather is good, that it’s not so hot, but it will be the same for everyone”, he concluded.
Ángel is tied with five players in fifth place and ahead of him are Matthis Besard (-14), Chez Reavie (-14) and Rico Hoey (-14), tied in second place, and the American Pierceson Coody (-16), who has managed to maintain the lead thanks to his tremendous 61 yesterday, because today he has had to settle for a round of 67 strokes seeing how his advantage was considerably reduced.
For the rest of the Spaniards, this ISCO Championship has ended today. Neither Rafa Cabrera Bello (-7), nor Iván Cantero (-5), nor Manuel Elvira (-3) have managed to reach the eight under par in which the cut of a tournament in which birdies are the predominant note and in which one of the members of the Armada will fight in the two rounds that remain to give a surprise after a Friday of contradictions.
