Although blustery conditions were experienced all 18 holes were played after yesterday’s 12-hole ‘round’. The par five 16th was however shortened to a par three making it a par 68 course for the day.
First-round leader Tom Lehman shot a respectable two under 66 matching that of Barry Lane and Roger Chapman. In general, the field struggled on what must be considered one of the tightest courses on the circuit which ends with six very undulating holes.
South Africa’s James Kingston got off to a stellar start with birdies on holes three, four and six. “I got off to a really good start and hits some really good shots. I made some crucial putts but a silly doubly bogey on the seventh really hurt”, he said. “Straight after that, I got myself back into contention with three birdies on holes nine, 11 and 12. I made three stupid errors coming in, which does leave a bit of a bad taste”, he said referring to bogeys on three of the last four holes. Placed fourth in the field he is two under and eight shots adrift, so would need something special come Sunday.
The day, however, belonged to Spain’s Miguel Angel Martin with an unbelievable nine under 59. With the shortened course this, although still highly impressive, cannot rank amongst your genuine 59’s. Six birdies on the front nine were followed by another four on the back with only one blemish to the card on the par four 13th. “Today the putter is hot”, was Martin’s first comment after the round referring to his 25 putts. “It’s my best round ever on the Staysure Tour and 59, my second 59 ever, even though it was par 68. I am very happy to be in this position, I haven’t been leading for a long, long time”, he finished off with a smile.
With a five-shot lead, the question is can anyone catch Martin come the third and final round of the tournament, and year, for the Staysure tour here at Constance Lemuria, Seychelles.
