Angel Hidalgo started the day with a two-shot lead and fired five birdies and a single bogey to close with a 67 and increase his lead to four shots at 10-under heading into the weekend at the acciona Open de España.
“Completely different, I would say,” said the Spaniard. “I already said to my caddie, I feel every shot today. Yesterday, I was completely blind and I was just hitting the ball and I don’t know why it was directly to the pin.
“But today I played really good. Two bad drivers to finish the round on four and seven, probably the birdie chances from the back nine for me today, but really happy with the way I play.”
England’s Joe Dean made two eagles at the par-5s 4th and 14th as well as five birdies and three bogeys to close with a 65 and move into solo second place at 6-under.
“It’s been great, felt a little scrappy in places but overall a great day,” said Dean.
“Par-fives have been very good to me, just some delicate hands the last two days. I think I rubbed some ‘Spanish hands’ off on me. Great chip-in [at the 4th].”
Two-time former champion Jon Rahm of Spain also made eagle at the 4th as well as four birdies and four bogeys for a 69 and a share of third place at 5-under alongside compatriot Alfredo Garcia-Heredia who shot 67, England’s Sam Bairstow (70), American Patrick Reed (66) and France’s Julien Guerrier (70).
“It’s a little frustrating after such good work yesterday in the heavy winds to not take advantage of the easier conditions today – especially my first 11 holes, barely any wind,” said Rahm.
“Everything just felt one or two levels below what I would have liked to feel. There’s a couple of moments, making that eagle putt was something that kind of renewed the energy in me, but just a few too many mistakes.”
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