Jose Luis Ballester posted 10-under (EGA photo)
Round two of the 2023 European Amateur Championship saw low scores, a weather delay and a hole-in-one.
Estonia's Parnu Bay Golf Links was again left defenseless in calm and soft conditions, with 16-under the target at the top of the leaderboard after just 36 holes.
Jose Luis Ballester (ESP), one of four players to shoot 62 (-10) in Round 1, got off to a slow start in Round 2.
James Ashfield (WAL) was the only player to match him. After a second consecutive round of 64 (-8), with just one bogey on the card through 36 holes, the Welshman will start alongside Ballester in Friday's final group.
Five groups will have to finish round two in the morning after play was suspended due to darkness at 22:30 local time.
The shot of the day went to Michael Mjaaseth (NOR), who holed out with a 9-iron on the par-3 17th to get within just one shot of the leaders.
ROUND ONE SUMMARY
The 2023 European Amateur Championship got underway in perfect conditions this morning in Estonia.
The higher-ranked players, who teed off early, took advantage of the calm conditions to go deep into the red numbers at Pärnu Bay Golf Links on a day where over 100 players broke par.
Jose Luis Ballester (ESP) was the first to set the leading mark of 10-under. The Spaniard made eight birdies and an eagle on his way to a round of 62.
The score equals the course record, as well as the European Amateur Championship scoring record relative to par.
Three more players also reached double-digits under par soon afterward. Jack Ingham (NED), who was seven-under-par on the front-nine, narrowly missed a birdie putt on the 18th to take the outright lead but also signed for a 62 (-10). His playing partner, Alejandro Aguilera (ESP), birdied five of the last six holes to card the same score.
Playing a few groups behind, France’s Paul Beauvy also had the chance to break the course record down the par-five 18th, but a missed 10 foot birdie putt would lead to the fourth 62 of the day.
Michael Mjaaseth (NOR), the 2019 European Young Masters champion, made eagle on the final hole of the day to shoot 63 (-9), and sits alone in fifth place.
Quentin Debove (FRA), Daniel Rodrigues (POR), Tiger Christensen (GER), James Ashfield (WAL), and Gregor Graham (SCO) all sit within just two shots of the lead after signing for rounds of 64 (-8).
The perfect weather conditions didn't last all day, however. Heavy rain and thunder caused a suspension of play for roughly 90 minutes, with 13 groups still on the course.
European Golf Association story
ABOUT THE European Amateur
The premier championship in
Europe,
conducted by the European Golf
Association,
which is comprised of 38 member
countries. 72
hole stroke play format. After 54 holes the field is cut
to the leading 60 players and ties. The winner earns
a spot in the British Open.
View Complete Tournament Information