RIVERO CLICKETY-CLICKS TO GO THREE
AHEAD IN SCOTTISH SENIORS OPEN

From Colin Callander
Press Officer, European Seniors Tour

Spanish Ryder Cup star of yesteryear 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 today.
The 52-year-old from Madrid goes into the final round on eight-under-par 136 - three ahead of home hope Ross Drummond and South Africa’s Bobby Lincoln.
Meanwhile, overnight leader, Costantino Rocca of Italy, injured his hip while hitting his second shot at the 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 Spaniard, winner of last year’s DGM Barbados Open and FIRSTPLUS Wales Seniors Open, also birdied the 10th and the 12th before cruising home with six straight pars.
“I played very well,” said Rivero. “Imanaged 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 former Ryder Cup captain made a unfortunate start with a double bogey 6 at the third but recovered to play the next 15 holes in 14 pars and one birde at the 11th hole.
“It was just one of those days” said Torrance. “I hit 17 greens in regulation but just couldn’t buy a putt. It leaves me with a lot to do.”
European Seniors Tour No 1 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.
SECOND-ROUND SCOREBOARD
Par 144 (2 x 72)
136 J Rivero (Spa) 70 66.
139 B Lincoln (SAf) 70 69, R Drummond (Sco) 69 70.
140 N Job 71 69, C Rocca (Ita) 67 73.
141 B Cameron (Eng) 70 71.
142 A Tapie (US) 72 70, A Murray (Eng) 72 70, P Oakley (US) 72 70.
143 M Poxon (Eng) 74 69, G Marsh (Aus) 73 70, D Good (Aus) 70 73.
144 E Rodriguez (Spa) 77 67, D Cambridge (Jam) 73 71, A Fernandez (Chi) 73 71, D. Johnston (US) 72 72, S Torrance (Sco) 71 73.
145 D J Russell (Eng) 75 70, J Quiros (Spa) 73 72, B Smit (SAf) 72 73, J Rhodes (Eng) 71 74, S Owen (NZ) 71 74, G Cali (Ita) 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 (Fra) 76 71, R Carrasco (US) 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 (US) 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 (SAf) 75 74, M Gray (Sco) 73 76, J Bruner (US) 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 (SAf) 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 (US) 80 72, J Lapsley (NZ) 79 73, M Bembridge (Eng) 79 73, T Horton (Eng) 77 75, J Benda (US) 75 77.
153 E Polland (NIr) 75 78.
154 A Croce (Ita) 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 (US) 81 78.
160 V Garcia (Spa) 80 80.
162 G Hopkins (US) 80 82.