Paratore grabs halfway lead at British Masters; Harding in hot chase

Renato Paratore of Italy. Pic – Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images

Round 2

Closehouse, Newcastle, July 24: Renato Paratore followed up his first round 65 with a second round 66 to get to 11 under par and open up a one shot lead at the Betfred British Masters hosted by Lee Westwood. The 23-year-old Italian is now a shot clear of South African Justin Harding and England’s Dale Whitnell at Close House.

Three years after his first European Tour title in Sweden, Paratore is seeking his  second success. He made birdies on first and 14th, as well as picking up birdies at all three par fives on the course – his pitch for eagle on the 17th stopping inches short of the cup.

Harding had four birdies in his first five holes and added further gains at the seventh, ninth, 16th and 17th in a best of the week round of 63. Meanwhile Whitnell also kept a clean card, recording five birdies as well as an eagle on the 17th in his round of 64.

“It felt really good today,” said Paratore. “I played really solid, especially the short game. I saved some shots when I needed it, so I’m very happy my game.

“It’s obviously a different atmosphere without the crowd but I’m just delighted to be back out playing again. I like to play every week so for me it’s great being back.

“During the restrictions you just have to accept it. I tried to stay in good shape physically. I did not practise much technically but I just worked every day on the physical aspect.

“I practised a lot when we were able to play after lockdown and Austria (the Austrian Open) was a good week to come back.”

Harding said, “The biggest thing today was that I made a couple of putts. I rolled in a good three to start the day out and just rolled with it from there. I like to regard myself as a good putter so when they do start to go in I feel like I can get going and post a decent score.

“I kind of hung in there around the stretch – 11 and 12 were playing a bit tricky – but ultimately I was just trying to give myself a few more chances coming down.

“It’s obviously where we want to be starting the week. I’ve put myself there now and it’s just a matter of getting through tomorrow and then giving myself the chance on what would be Sunday, is now Saturday.”

England’s Ashley Chesters, Dane Rasmus Højgaard and Scottish pair Calum Hill and round one leader David Law are one shot further back on nine under par, with another Englishman in Oliver Fisher and New Zealand’s Ryan Fox at eight under par.

Tournament host Westwood made the cut on one under par following  his second round 71, as did evergreen Spaniard Miguel Angel Jiménez, who is three under par at the halfway stage of his record equalling 706th European Tour appearance.

Host Lee Westwood and David Law (inset). Pic: Getty Images

Round 1 – Law sets the tone for British Masters

 David Law fired a flawless seven-under opening round 64 at the Betfred British Masters hosted by Lee Westwood to take a one stroke lead at the first tournament of the European Tour’s UK Swing.

The 29-year-old Scot, who has one European Tour title to his name at last year’s ISPS Handa Vic Open, hit a red hot streak with seven birdies in eight holes from the sixth – the only par during that run came courtesy of a wondrous save from the heavy gorse at the 11th.

Law finished the day one shot clear of Englishmen Oliver Fisher and Garrick Porteous and Italy’s Renato Paratore, who carded rounds of 65 at Close House Golf Club.

The tournament host, former World Number One Westwood, battled to a one under 70 while his fellow Englishman Eddie Pepperell had a solid start on his return to golf after four months out, signing for a four under 67.

David Law said, “I was playing steady. You might not be sure what to expect coming into today after the long break. I was delighted with that.

“It’s still a little strange, but the Tour have done a fantastic job. So far I think it’s gone really well. The club has hosted us really well. It’s a new time for us, we’re all learning and we’ll all have to get used to it. The whole week so far has been very positive.

“We’ve been lucky at home and not had anyone affected by the illness, thankfully. My daughter is 19 months old, so to have that extended time at home, I’ll never get that again. We had a great time. It was a nice time for me because I wasn’t playing the best going into that break. It was a good time to recharge and regroup.”

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