Nilsson Leads Bergman and Sullivan by One in Portugal

Christian Nilsson of Sweden remains at the head of the field at the European Challenge Tour’s Estoril Challenge after a level par second round of 72 at Pehna Longa Golf Club left him one stroke clear of his countryman Oskar Bergman and the Welshman Kyron Sullivan.

Nilsson, who opened the tournament with a sparkling 66, could not recapture his low scoring first round form but the combination of gusting winds and intermittent downpours of heavy rain seemed to prevent the chance for real low scoring and permitted Nilsson to maintain the lead he established during the first round.

Nilsson said: “I found the conditions tougher out there today than yesterday – the wind was stronger and the pins were a lot more difficult and all of that made things a lot harder for me.

“I am still in a great position though – I just have to try and make a few more putts over the weekend to have a chance of winning.

“This season I have changed my putting technique a bit and like everything in this game it takes some time for the changes that you make to start working properly. That can be frustrating because you feel that should be doing better b it you just have to be patient and trust that the changes you have made will come good.

 “This week was all about preparing for The European Tour event in Indonesia next week, but now that I am in this position I have to give everything to win here on Sunday.”

Bergman equalled Nilsson’s second round 72 to remain on five under par. The 28 year old, who is currently 17^th on the Challenge Tour Rankings after a great start to the 2006 season in Central and South America, holed a brilliant pitching wedge for an eagle three on the par five 12^th hole and was happy with his position with 36 holes to play.

“I didn’t see the pitching wedge go into the hole on the 12^th but apparently it went straight in without bouncing so it was a perfect shot!” said Bergman.

“I’m really happy to be where I am on the leaderboard because I don’t feel that I am playing all that well. But that’s something that I can go and work on so that I can get things together for tomorrow.”

Sullivan, meanwhile, carded a three under par 69 to join Bergman in second place and afterwards revealed that he has brought his lucky charm to Portugal this week – his wife!

The last time the 27 year old Welshman brought his wife on tour he finished second in the Rotterdam International Open, and he is looking to go one better this weekend.

“I should bring the wife to tournaments more often!” smiled Sullivan after signing for a 69 that included an eagle, five birdies, a bogey and a double bogey. “I had a time out there. It was a bit up and down but it was very enjoyable and if I can keep the silly dropped shots off the card at the weekend then I have a chance.”

Sullivan, Nilsson and Bergman are not the only ones in with a chance of landing the €19,200 first prize on Sunday afternoon, with another Swede, Fredrik Andersson Hed, Scotland’s David Drysdale, Norway’s Paul Nilbrink, Juan Parron of Spain and Julien van Hauwe of France all sharing four place on four under par.