European Tour Member Richard Sterne, of South Africa, employed a brand new putting grip to superb effect, holing out from all angles in a second round six under par 64 at the Nashua Masters to move into a three shot lead.
The 2004 Open de Madrid Champion produced the day’s only bogey free round in fierce winds at the Wild Coast Sun Country Club to move to eight under par for the tournament, three shots clear of Challenge Tour Member Hennie Otto (68), Mike Lamb (68), Grant Muller (69) and Alan Michell (70).
Sterne made the change to the ungainly claw grip, brought to fame by American golfer Chris DiMarco, just one day before the tournament as a last throw of the dice, hoping it would end two frustrating years on the greens.
“I’m, tired of finishing 30th,” said Sterne “I believe I hit the ball way to good to finish 30th and you can’t compete with 35 putts a round.”
“I’ve tried everything – normal putter, belly putter and just never felt comfortable, but since I’ve gone to this I’ve felt comfortable. So far, so good so I’m not complaining. Hopefully it stays like that.”
Otto, the 2003 Nashua Masters Champion, endured a decidedly less fluid day on the greens. Both his bogey four on the fourth hole and his bogey five on the 18th, where his ball circled the cup, included three putts.
“I didn’t hole the important ones today,” said Otto. “but I’m disappointed that I didn’t make the easy putts.”
