Rookie in ‘new territory’
ENGLAND’S Ross McGowan, competing in only his second European tour event after turning professional four months ago, leads after two rounds of the Portugal Open.
Last year’s English amateur champion, lying joint second overnight, hit a second successive 68 for a six-under-par total of 136 at the Oitavos course.
He only made the field after picking up a sponsor’s invitation, despite failing to pick up a Tour card at last November’s qualifying school.
McGowan said: “This is new territory for me, so we will see how it goes.
“On the amateur scene I had the lead after 36 holes, but it’s different with the pros.”
Fellow Briton Nick Dougherty is two shots behind after carding a second successive 69, with a group of five players, in a tie for fifth, a further shot adrift.
Former Ryder Cup star Paul Broadhurst, aiming to become only the fifth player in Tour history to win the same tournament three years on the trot, is four shots behind.
Simon Dyson, who led by a shot going into the second round, slipped off the pace, producing a disappointing 74 to move down to a share of 13th place and five shots off the lead.
Agence France-Presse