Portugal Masters 2021 R2
November 04-07
Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course, Vilamoura, Portugal
€1,500,000
Round 1, Round 3, Round 4

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

Nino Bertasio shot a second round 69 to take a two-shot lead at the Portugal Masters. Having started the day with a four-shot lead after firing a career-low round on the European Tour of 61 on Thursday, hee couldn't maintain that incredible momentum and produced three birdies and a bogey to move to 12-under.

Portugal Masters 2021 R2

"I couldn't expect anything similar to yesterday. A solid day. I didn't make many putts, the greens were a bit bumpy towards the end. I made three birdies and they were basically inside two feet. I didn't make much out there, but I'll take it."

The Italian joined the Tour in 2015 after coming through Qualifying School and is playing in his 159th tournament. He has had nine top-10s so far but has yet to win.

Portugal Masters 2021 R2

Spain's Adri Arnaus held on to his second place with a bogey-free 64 alongside an equally bogey-free Lucas Bjerregaard (65) of Denmark, Frenchman Matthieu Pavon (64) and Thomas Pieters (64) of Belgium.

"It's a really good day when you don't drop any shots and have no bogeys on the card," said Arnaus. "I managed to save a few good pars but took advantage of the opportunities. I thought today wasn't so easy because the pins were quite tucked. We stuck to our gameplan and we played well."

Portugal Masters 2021 R2

"I just try to hit it as straight as possible off the tee and give myself a good angle to the pins, you can do that around here. With pins on the left I try and hit it to the right and the other way around. That has been working well. After that, I try to be aggressive.

"I'm feeling comfortable and enjoying it out there, so I'm looking forward to the challenge of the weekend."

Englishmen Callum Shinkwin (66) and Sam Horsfield (66) lie in sixth and seventh place respectively.

"It's a golf course where you can bomb it as far as you can," said Shinkwin, "the rough is very short so taking the Bryson route of hitting wedges into greens makes it a lot easier."

Portugal Masters 2021 R2

Compatriots Richard Bland (65) and Oliver Wilson (67) are tied for eighth at 7-under alongside Malaysi's Gavin Green (69) and Scotland's Grant Forrest (67).

"I got off to a good start, par-birdie-eagle," said Forrest. "It's always nice to do that. I played solid golf the whole way around and gave myself lots of chances. On the back nine the putts didn't quite drop. But all in all it was a solid day.

"Confidence is much higher than it was at the start of the season. I'm going about my business and I'll keep playing well."

Portugal Masters 2021 R2