Spanish Ryder Cup star José Rivero carded a sensational six under par 66 to storm into the lead after the second round of the Charles Church Scottish Seniors Open at Marriott Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club near Edinburgh.
The 52 year old from Madrid goes into the final round on eight under par 136 and with a three shot lead over Scotland’s Ross Drummond and South Africa’s Bobby Lincoln.
Meanwhile, overnight leader, Costantino Rocca of Italy, injured his hip while hitting his second shot on the 392 yard par four 14th hole and did well to limp home in 73 to share fourth place with England’s Nick Job on four under 140.
Rivero had recorded five birdies in an opening round of 70 and 24 hours later he started in a similar vein with birdies at the first, fourth, seventh and ninth to race to the turn in four under 31.
The winner of last year’s DGM Barbados Open and FIRSTPLUS Wales Seniors Open also birdied the tenth and the 12th before cruising home with six straight pars.
“I played very well,” said the leader, “and managed to get up-and-down on the odd occasion when I missed a green. I like my chances if I can play this solid again tomorrow.”
It was not such a good day for defending champion Sam Torrance who added a 73 to his opening 71 to go into the last round tied with Delroy Cambridge, Angel Fernandez, Doug Johnston and Emilio Rodriquez on level par 144.
For the second successive day the Scottish former Ryder Cup Captain made a misfortunate start with a double bogey on the 424 yard par four third, but recovered to play the next 15 holes in 14 pars and one birdie on the 433 yard par four 11th hole.
“It was just one of those days” said the Scot. “I hit 17 greens in regulation but just couldn’t buy a putt. It leaves me with a lot to do.”
European Seniors Tour Number One Carl Mason needs to win just £2,600 this week to surpass the Tour’s record for most money won in a single season but he still has a bit to do after a five over par 77 left him in a share of 35th place on four over par 148.
Full Second Round Results
136 – J. Rivero (Sp) 70 66;
139 – B. Lincoln (SA) 70-69, R. Drummond (Sco) 69-70
140 – N. Job 71-69, C. Rocca (It) 67-73
141- B. Cameron (Eng) 70-71
142 – A. Tapie (USA) 72-70, A.Murray (Eng) 72-70, P. Oakley (USA) 72-70
143 – M. Poxon (Eng) 74-69, G. Marsh (Aus) 73-70, D. Good (Aus) 70-73
144 – E. Rodriguez (Sp) 77-67, D. Cambridge (Jam) 73-71, A. Fernandez (Chi) 73-71, D. Johnston (USA) 72-72, S. Torrance (Sco) 71-73
145 – D.J. Russell (Eng) 75-70, J. Quiros (Sp) 73-72, B. Smit (SA) 72-73, J. Rhodes (Eng) 71-74, S. Owen (NZ) 71-74, G. Cali (It) 71-74
146 – B. Longmuir (Sco) 74-72, M. Miller (Sco) 73-73, E. Darcy (Ire) 70-76
147 – R.Masters (Eng) 76-71, G. Watine (Fr) 76-71, R. Carrasco (USA) 75-72, D. Merriman (Aus) 75-72, K. Spurgeon (Eng) 74-73, D. O’Sullivan (Ire) 73-74, A. Sowa (Arg) 71-76. R.A. Green (Eng) 71-76
148 – T. Allen (Eng) 80-68, G. Encina (Chi) 78-70, M. Foster (Eng) 75-73, D. Durnian (Eng) 74-74, G. Ralph (Eng) 74-74, J. Chillas (Sco) 74-74, T. Dill (USA) 72-76, C. Mason (Eng) 71-77
149 - R.Weir (Sco) 77-72, G.J. Brand (Eng) 76-73, J. Heggarty (NIR) 75-74, J. Bland (SA) 75-74, M. Gray (Sco) 73-76, J. Bruner (USA) 73-76, N. Ratcliffe (Aus) 72-77
150- T. Johnstone (Zim) 78-72, S. Martin (Sco) 75-75, I. Mosey (Eng) 74-76
151 – J. Mashego (SA) 78-73, L. Carbonetti (Arg) 78-73, T. Rastall (Eng) 77-74, T. Charnley (Eng) 77-74, B. Larratt (Eng) 75-76
152 – B. Lendzion (USA) 80-72, J. Lapsley (NZ) 79-73, M. Bembridge (Eng) 79-73, T. Horton (Eng) 77-75, J. Benda (USA) 75-77
153 – E. Polland (NIR) 75-78
154 – A. Croce (It) 80-74
156 – D. Creamer (Eng) 82-74, P. Dugeny (Fra) 79-77
157 – P. Harrison (Eng) 82-75, L. Higgins (Ire) 78-79
159 – B. Malley (USA) 81-78
160 _ V. Garcia (Sp) 80-80
162 – G. Hopkins (USA) 80-82
