Still as solid, Yannik Paul, author this Friday in New Delhi of a 69 (-3), offers himself at -10 (134) five points ahead of his closest pursuers. In the hard the day before on one of the most difficult courses of the DP World Tour season, the French reacted well this time. Adrien Saddier, 68 (-4), takes 8th place at -3 (141). Lacroix, Stal, Ko and Stalter also pass the cut set at +4!
L.V.
The dantesque line drawn by Gary Player and host of this Hero Indian Openthe first since March 2019, does not seem to be a problem for Yannik Paul. The proof. Leader the day before with a sublime 65 (-7), the German, who was satisfied this time with a 69 (-3), offers himself after 36 holes, five points ahead of the competition.
His total of -10 (134) may seem somewhat supernatural as this par 72 of the DLF Golf & Country Club de New Delhi, with steep and super fast greens measured at 12 on the Stimpmeter, continues to grind a large majority of the field. Only 23 players have a score under par after two rounds.
Truly in a positive spiral, Paul, 28, the only second last Sunday at the Thailand Classic behind the untouchable Throbjørn Olesencontinues here with a seventh consecutive lap in the red, the sixth in the 60.
The Ryder Cup in sight for Paul
To his closest pursuers, the Finn Mikko KorhonenIcelandic Gudmundur KristjanssonGerman Marcel Siem and the Indian Angad Cheema, all second at -5, to start charging this weekend. Remember that a victory for Paul in 48 hours, the second in his career after the Mallorca Golf Open last October, would allow him to grab 3rd place in the European classification by points of the Ryder Cup !
Kazuki Higa with first and only bogey-free round of the week so far ????
Just the 11th in the four editions of the @TheOfficialHIO at the DLF Golf & Country Club.#HIO2023 pic.twitter.com/NIa4WyEkII
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) February 24, 2023
Relegated to seven lengths behind, Adrian Saddier, the best French on the leaderboard, has not yet lowered its flag. Especially since the Haut-Savoyard remains on an excellent 13th place in Bangkok, its reference result since its top 10 (7th) at theOmega European Masters at the end of August 2021. He will share his Moving Day from 11:02 a.m. local (6:32 a.m. in France) with the Englishman Andrew Wilson and the Japanese Kazuki Higa75th in the world, the only one (with Saddier and his 68 (-4)) to have returned a bogey-free card today!
Left behind at the end of the first round – not a single one in the top 30 – the Tricolores reacted rather well this time. Frederic Lacroix gains 25 ranks with his 70 (-2) of the day and finds himself 24th in the par total. 21 better places also for Jeong Weon Ko, owner of a 71 (-1). The golfer from Bussy (77) is in 39th position at +2 (with Joel Stalter), just behind Gary Stal, 34th at +1 after playing in par (72). Only David Ravetto remains docked with her 74 (+2). Weighed down by his inaugural 78 (+6), the Racingman finished far from a cut set at +4…
Le leaderboard
The leaderboard of other French people
Photo : Money SHARMA / AFP
