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ISPS Handa Championship in Spain: Scott Jamieson pulls two clear at halfway

The 38-year-old Scot powered to the top of the leaderboard at the Lakes Course in Tarragona after a 63 on Friday.

Scott Jamieson heads into the weekend at the ISPS Handa Championship in Spain with a great chance to add to his sole DP World Tour title.
The Scot hasn't tasted victory since the 2013 Nelson Mandela Championship in South Africa but put himself in great position in round two here after firing a superb 7-under 63 to reach 11-under.

That put him two clear of Finland's Tapio Pulkkanen (67), with local man Adrian Otaegui a further stroke back in third after a 66.

Six players are tied for fourth on 6-under, five back, and that bunch includes Danish youngster Rasmus Hojgaard (67), a three-time winner on the DP World Tour.

Jamieson carded an eagle (at 18) and six birdies on the par 70 at Infinitum and has now led or co-led after five tournament rounds this season, more than anyone else on the DP World Tour.
Of course, he now wants to make sure he's the leader after the final round on Sunday as he battles to secure that elusive second win.

Jamieson with the 36-hole lead

The Scot has been here before but not done well.

On the last five occasions he's had a piece of the halfway lead, Jamieson's final finishes are 10th, 21st, 42nd, 14th and 22nd.

In two of those, he was still leading after 54 holes. They were the Abu Dhabi Championship earlier this year and the Tshwane Open in 2017 before he shot final rounds of 77 (Abu Dhabi) and 78 (Tshwane).
That suggests the real test for him may come on Sunday rather than Saturday.

What they said

Scott Jamieson: "It was another great day. Yesterday after five weeks off, I was a little unsure what I was going to get, but it was a solid day and today was even better. It was pretty similar, but maybe holed one or two more putts and managed to chip in on 15 and hole a putt from off the green on 18.

"Obviously this year I seem to be coming out of the gates very well. I've had some good starts so far. It's easy to play the golf course in the first two rounds because you are not necessarily playing against other people at that point.

"It gets tougher as the tournament goes on, so hopefully I can do a good job of just continuing to play the golf course. It's certainly a different mindset but I'd rather have shot a couple of shots less so far than anyone else.
"This year has been good to me so far and just trying to continue the same swing thoughts and ingrain a couple of more things. Really just spending some time off with the family was fun then hitting the reset button."

Tapio Pulkkanen: "I kind of struggled on the front nine, it was tough pin positions today and I had to make good pars to get it going coming to the ninth hole, I made birdie on nine and happy to finish with birdie for a nine under total.

"Tomorrow I will just concentrate on my own game and just try to play well like today and yesterday and look at the leaderboard on Sunday and see where I am.
"I think I've played here like 50 rounds, I think the course its tougher than it's been, rough and greens are firmer than what I expected, it's been a good set up this week."

Adrian Otaegui: "I'm very pleased, started with a birdie and finished with a birdie, and there was a bit of everything in the middle but I'm very pleased with the way I played and the way I fought. It was a little bit up and down today so I'm very happy with how I fought to the end, so I'm happy with the finish and I've given myself a chance for the weekend.

"It's fantastic, to be able to start the season in Europe with two tournaments in Spain and obviously at two very good golf courses as well - this course and next week, which is at one of my favourite golf courses in Spain.
"Obviously I have some family and friends coming so it's all very good. I'm hoping there will be more crowds at the weekend and I'm really encouraging everyone to come along because the course is good, it will be good to watch.
"I'm heading into the weekend in a good position, I played good in the last two days, I've been feeling good with my irons so I just want to go and do the same thing, give myself birdie chances, keep being patient and go and attack."

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