It might not have been a day to remember for England’s Sven but for the German version there was only celebration at De Vere Slaley Hall, as Sven Strüver moved into the lead at the halfway stage of The Great North Open.
The 34 year old from Bremen was delighted to watch Germany’s progress into the World Cup semi-finals too but was more thrilled at his flawless second round 65, only one shot off equalling the Hunting Course record, which gave him an eight under par total of 136.
It was good enough to give the winner of three events on The European Tour International Schedule a one shot lead at the halfway stage over first round pacesetter Diego Borrego who added a 71 to his opening 66. South African Roger Wessels carded his second successive 69 for third place on 138, while Jon Bevan, Paul Casey, Bradley Dredge and Andrew Oldcorn shared fourth on five under par 139.
As well as a return to form on the greens, Strüver put the upturn in his fortunes down to the fact he had tackled the tournament refreshed and relaxed, something alien to him over the past couple of months thanks to the arrival of new baby Johan.
He has colic and as a result is pretty restless from about nine in the evening until three in the morning when he eventually gets tired,” said Strüver. “As a result I’ve been living on about three hours sleep for the past couple of months and wasn’t actually going to come here this week.
“But my wife suggested I should go and give it try, get some sleep and some proper practice to see how I do because I haven’t practiced much in the last couple of weeks. If you don’t practice hard in two weeks it is hard to compete because the standard has gone up so much on The European Tour.”
Certainly the time on the range paid off for the German with a superb showing, seven birdies in total and no mistakes, his birdie putts ranging in distance from 25 feet at the 13th to six inches at the 15th.
Strüver’s round was reminiscent of Borrego’s opening effort, which consisted of six birdies, and although the Spaniard could not quite keep the momentum going, two birdies in his final four holes rescued his round, gave him a 71, and ensured he would be in the last group on Saturday.
“It was much harder in the conditions today,” said Borrego. “It was very windy and made it very difficult to choose the right club. But I’m pleased to be where I am and I’m especially pleased with my finish, that was really good. That gives me a boost for the weekend but again it just depends on the weather on how I will score.”
Third placed Wessels wasted no time in booking his place in the upper echelons of the leaderboard, being out in the first group of the day, and the South African enjoyed an adventurous morning with four birdies, an eagle and three bogeys in his 69.
“My form has been coming back over recent weeks,” he said. “I started the year well but tailed off a little bit in the next couple of months but it just feels like something is happening for me now, I’m very nearly there and I’m excited about my game again, I really look forward to going out and playing at the moment.”
Best round from the quartet on five under par 139 came from Lichfield’s Jon Bevan, who celebrated his 35th birthday on Thursday and gave himself a belated present with an excellent 67, the highlight being picking up five shots in five holes from fourth.
Best shot of the day however came from Andy Beal who holed in one at the 179 yard 14th with a crisply struck six iron, a perfect shot which won the 36 year old Englishman a £15,000 Renault Megane Coupe.
Only two weeks ago Beal competed in the Compass Group English Open at the Marriott Forest of Arden, his first tournament golf since he lost an eye to cancer just before Christmas last year.
