Sam Hutsby and Jordan Zunic will share a three-stroke lead heading into the weekend of the Andalucía Challenge de Cádiz at Iberostar Real Golf Novo Sancti Petri.
Englishman Hutsby began the day in a share of the lead after yesterday’s course-record 63 and he was able to extend that advantage by posting a five under par round of 67 to reach 14 under, before Australian Zunic posted a sensational eight under 64 to join him at the top of the leaderboard.
Overnight co-leader Filippo Celli sits in third place on 11 under par after he carded a two under round of 70.
Hutsby, who won the 2014 Kazakhstan Open, is hopeful his nerves can help rather than hinder him as he looks to secure a second European Challenge Tour title over the weekend in Cádiz.
“I’m very pleased with how I played today,” he said. “I managed to keep the good form going from yesterday. I got off to a very good start and I was four under through eight holes and managed to keep it steady after that.
“If you had given me a five under par round before I teed off today, I would have snapped your hand off. It was a great day. There were no eagles today I’m afraid, I must have used all of them yesterday. I’ve been swinging it well over the last two days and I’m glad I have been able to capitalise on it.
“Normally my temperament is a good part of my game and I never get too hot headed, which is easily done in this game,” he said. “I try to stay positive and calm and that has worked this week so far.
“I haven’t been in this position for a while so it’s going to bring back some different feelings over the weekend and certainly some nerves. I’ve got a great friend on the bag, Harry, who has been with me all year and he has so much belief in me.”
Zunic was delighted to reap the rewards of the work he has put in on the practice green in recent weeks and he is now targeting a maiden Challenge Tour title.
“I had a good start today with a couple of birdies and my putter has been so hot over the last two days,” he said. “Putting is half of the game and it has been so nice to see them roll in recently. I’m very happy with how things have gone.
“This round has been a long time coming and I’ve done a lot of work on my putting in recent weeks. It’s nice to see that come to fruition and these greens definitely suit my eye.”
Six players share fourth place on nine under par including Irishman Ruaidhri McGee, England’s Alex Fitzpatrick and Ben Schmidt, French amateur Martin Couvra, German Philipp Mejow and South African Keenan Davidse.
The third round will get under way at 8:00am local time, with Hutsby and Zunic teeing it up in the final group alongside Celli at 12:00pm.
