In the wealthy suburb of London which hosts the BMW PGA Championship, it is always a Thai who is in charge. Kiradech Aphibarnrat, already in the lead the day before, kept his cool to complete a second lap under par at Wentworth. The quadruple winner on the European Tour, yet fallen to 516th world rank, signs 68 (-4) this Friday thanks to six birdies against two burrs (bogeys at 11 and 13).
« I am really very proud of the way I have been playing since the start of the tournament, Aphibarnrat explained at the microphone of the European Tour. This course offers a lot of birdie opportunities, but it can also hurt very quickly. I wanted to avoid the slightest bogey on my first two laps. I didn’t make it, but I’m happy with the way I reacted to my two birdie errors each time. “At -12 total, the Thai is only one stroke ahead of Laurie Canter (66 this Friday) and Francesco Laporta (65).
The Blues in the snatch
If we look at the glass half full, five French people have secured their place this weekend (they were 12 at the start of the tournament on Thursday, Victor Dubuisson having withdrawn this Friday). But if we look at the glass half empty, the best of them is currently in 51st place …
Joël Stalter is the best Blue after two laps and gave himself a solid 69 (-3). Alexander Levy posted 67 to climb to 62nd after a 75 the day before. Robin Roussel plays in the par for the 62nd row. Big reactions from Antoine Rozner (65) and Victor Perez (66) who offered themselves a weekend at Wentworth despite a sluggish start.
However, this passage of ric-rac cut may not be enough to hope for a place in the Ryder Cup for Tarbais. Remember that only a 3rd place would automatically qualify him, a podium which is currently at least eight lengths away.
The cut set at -2 is however missed for Raphaël Jacquelin (74, -1 total) Benjamin Hébert (71, by), Romain Langasque (72, +1), Mathieu Pavon (73, +2), Julien Guerrier (72 , +2) and Mike Lorenzo Vera (74, +9 total).
What else to remember?
It has been 15 years since Adam Scott competed in the BMW PGA Championship. The Australian with a timeless swing continues his 65 from the day before with a 69 for the provisional 4th place at -10 overall.
Watch out for Justin Rose, also looking for a place in the Ryder Cup this week. The Englishman plays 68 and is in 5th place, at -9.
Shane Lowry is very keen to play his first Ryder in a few weeks. The Irishman is in the nails after his 66 of the day (8th to -8).
The cut that hurts a lot
He is for … Ian Poulter who badly needed a good week at Wentworth, he who is aiming for a wild card for the next Ryder Cup. With a 71 this Friday Mister Ryder misses the weekend for a little bit. Who knows if his last glow of the day, on hole 18, will tip the scales in the right direction this Sunday when Captain Harrington’s picks are announced?
.
