Joel Moscatel, a member of the RFEG ProSpain, and Alfredo García Heredia are four strokes behind the leader, Frenchman Sebastián Gros, at the halfway point of the Challenge de España being played at the Real Club Sevilla Golf.

A very close tournament where there are only nine strokes separating the leader from those who made the cut. Challenge Tour number one Rasmus Neergard-Pettersen, seeking his third victory to secure direct entry to the Tour, and defending champion Martin Couvra are tied for second place, two strokes behind.

Blazing sun, heat, and firm, fast greens. That has been the general theme in the second round of the Challenge de España, a tournament sponsored by the Royal Spanish Golf Federation, which is celebrating its 25th edition and in which regular DP World Tour players are fighting for the title; this week they face the challenge of facing the younger players who are making a strong impact on professional golf, such as Martin Couvra, the Frenchman who is defending his title and the only player who has won this tournament as an amateur.

All credit goes to fellow Frenchman Sebastien Gros, a regular player on the DP World Tour who today cemented his lead by posting the best score of the tournament so far, 64 strokes (-8), with seven birdies and an eagle against a bogey for a total of 135 strokes (-9).

“I didn’t think I was capable of shooting 8 under par on this course, especially with such demanding greens. I started really well, with two good putts but also two good birdie shots. It’s a very rewarding round. The key has been the greens, but golf is about patience, and I tried to play my best golf on 18 different holes, without thinking about whether I could make birdie or not. I was focused on each shot I took around the course, letting my good game flow, and then hitting another shot. We’re only halfway through the tournament; I’m in a better position than if I were -1, of course, but I know this sport very well. Tomorrow is another day, maybe better or maybe worse, but the only thing I’m focused on is continuing to have a good day today, even though I’ve finished playing. So this afternoon I’m going to Seville. I was there 15 or 16 years ago when I played in the Copa del Rey, and I remember it being a wonderful city, but I don’t remember much, so this afternoon I’m going to explore it.” Sebastien is a player who started on the Alps Tour, where he won two tournaments and then moved to the Challenge Tour, where he won two more and made the jump to the DPWT.

Two strokes behind the leader, six players share second place at 7 under par. Among them are Denmark's Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen, who has won two of the last three Challenge Tour events. A third victory would guarantee him immediate promotion to the DP World Tour, something he'll be striving for this weekend. Also in contention is 21-year-old Martin Couvra, who won the Challenge de España last year as an amateur. Now, he's playing differently but with the same strong form that propelled him to the top of the leaderboard. He carded two eagles, three birdies, and two bogeys for a 67, totaling 7 under par. Joining them are Jamie Rutherford, Andreas Halvorsen, Tapio Pulkkanen, and Felix Mory.

The best Spaniards, four strokes behind the leader

Joel Moscatel, from the ProSpain Team, made three birdies and a bogey, all on the back nine for a 71 and a total of 5 under par: “I started off with dream pars, because I was flying from side to side. It was a bit slow to get going, but we managed it really well because we were a bit disoriented, especially Alberto (Calvo, his caddie). It was a masterclass in approach and putting. Then on the 1st I made a birdie from the bunker, and on the 2nd a fantastic shot. Then came two consecutive bogeys, a bit silly, but considering how the day went, I'm very happy. I hit some good shots. When I missed one thing, it was compensated for by something else, so everything came together well. I'm happy. Whether it was nerves or whatever, I'll analyze it now, but on the first nine holes things weren't clicking with my swing, but on the back nine they were, so the swing is there. I'm neither the worst nor the best in the world, it's just there. Between the "In the first round and the second, I've done nothing but try to stick to my fundamentals, the things I work on, and everything has fallen into place.".

Alfredo García-Heredia carded four birdies, two bogeys, and an eagle, a 69, to share tenth place at 5 under: “After a week with Jorge (Parada), coming back to a demanding course, I’m satisfied because I’m not playing my best, but the changes we made at Liberty look promising for the rest of the year. I’ve worked on a lot of things with him; my game wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t great either. He knows exactly where to look to make adjustments so I can gradually improve. Today I hit some really good shots again, I felt comfortable, and I’m leaving happy. Now, it’s time to continue the season and hope the results come.”.

Today the cut in the classification was established, remaining at even par and 77 players passed it, including ten Spaniards and five of them members of the REFG Pro Spain Team: -5 Joel Moscatel (Pro Spain) and Alfredo García-Heredia, -3 Javier Sainz (Pro Spain), -2 Eduard Rousaud (Pro Spain), Quim Vidal (Pro Spain) and Álvaro Quirós; -1 Pep Anglés and Dani Berna; at even par Lucas Vacarisas (Pro Spain) and Borja Martín.

The Royal Spanish Golf Federation is the main sponsor of the Challenge de España, which is supported by the Regional Government of Andalusia, the Royal Andalusian Golf Federation, and the Spanish National Sports Council, as well as AON, Allianz, Volvo, Mahou-Solán de Cabras, Halcon Viajes, Kyocera, Tag Heuer, Iberdrola, Loterías y Apuestas del Estado (Spanish National Lottery), Scalpers, Maximiliano Jabugo, Bodegas Marqués de Arviza, Grupo Ybarra, TOA Shoes, Titleist, Licor Mediterraneo, and Hotel Sevilla Green Suites. JGolf is the organizing company of the Challenge de España.

SOURCE: Tournament Organization