Ángel Ayora takes halfway lead

Ángel Ayora signed for a bogey-free, 5-under 65 featuring three consecutive birdies from the 10th to take a one-shot lead at 9-under into the weekend at the Italian Open.

“I started today very badly,” said the Spaniard. “From the tee I was struggling with my swing, but there were some very good recoveries and I was putting very good, so thank you to my short game.

“On the back nine I was trying to find a swing thought or something to recover from the front nine. I think I found it and I hope to do it tomorrow as well.

“I try to be patient. It’s difficult to do it on the course when things aren’t going very well, but you need to do it.

“If you start thinking about the past, the bad strokes, it’s not the way to do it. I try to do my best and to finish with a birdie is always a great thing.”

England’s Dan Bradbury who held the overnight lead made five birdies, one bogey and a double bogey at the par-4 1st hole to close with a 68 and take a share of second place at 8-under.

Germany’s Marcel Schneider fired a bogey-free 63 to join Bradbury in second place alongside France’s Martin Couvra and Norway’s Andread Halvorsen who both made one bogey for rounds of 63 and 67 respectively.

The leading two players, not already exempt, who make the cut will earn places in the 153rd Open at Royal Portrush.

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