Wind helps Walker share lead

31 July 2015 02:01

England's Sam Walker harnessed the wind to good effect at the rescheduled Madeira Islands Open to share the early clubhouse lead on the second day.

The Birmingham golfer, beginning his round from the 10th with three birdies in his first four holes, carded a six-under 66 to move to 11 under, level with Pontus Widegren.

After 10 successive pars he chipped in for eagle at the 364-yard sixth and birdied the par-five next to set the target for the afternoon starters.

"I was tough out there but if you played with the wind a little bit you'd create some chances and that's what I did," the 37-year-old told europeantour.com.

"I played with the wind a little bit at the 10th and 11th and got two birdies there.

"I play with a fade so I can use the wind to my advantage a little more than other people.

"At the sixth I went over the corner with a driver and came up just short of the green then I chipped in, at the seventh I was up in two and made a nice birdie and I just missed a putt at nine for birdie so it could have been better."

First-round leader Antonio Hortal, also starting on the back nine, was just one under for his round to sit one behind Walker, with Sweden's Widegren, in the group behind, six under for his round and sharing top spot.

Another Swede, Bjorn Akesson, carded the best round of the morning starters with a seven-under 65.

Source: PA