John Catlin and Shubhankar Sharma (inset). Pic: Getty Images
Valderrama, Spain, Sep 4: Shubhankar Sharma missed yet another cut as the lean patch continued for him into the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters on what was again a testing day at the Real Club, Valderrama.
Sharma, who was 10-over for the first day added 5-over 76 to miss the cut. This was his fifth missed cut in six straight starts since he returned to action as events resumed after a stop in March.
John Catlin will take a two stroke lead into the weekend after starting the day in a four-way tie for the lead. He is now the only player to have carded two sub-par as the field again contended with strong winds at the notoriously tough 1997 Ryder Cup venue.
The 29-year-old, who has won four times on the Asian Tour, began his round with birdies on the first and third holes, but was one over par for the day after his third bogey of the round came at the tenth hole. He recovered strongly with gains on the 16th and 17th, and a crucial up-and-down on the 18th to sign for a one under par round of 70 and a three under par total.
Catlin is two strokes ahead of Scotsman Connor Syme, who shared the 18-hole lead, 2014 Ryder Cup player Jamie Donaldson and five-time European Tour winner Pablo Larrazábal.
Wilco Nienaber moved up to fifth place after a one under par round of 70, which included two birdies and an eagle.
Yet another rough start for Sharma in Spain; Syme among four co-leaders
