TOM LEWIS LEADS BY ONE AT HALFWAY IN DUNHILL LINKS CHAMPIONSHIP

REPORT FROM EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS

Tom Lewis’ love affair with links golf continued after a seven under 65 at the Old Course gave the Englishman a one shot lead at the halfway stage of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship on a day when American Peter Uihlein came within inches of posting the first 59 in European Tour history.

Uihlein looked on course to become the first player to record golf’s magic number on The European Tour, but his 25 foot eagle putt on his last hole at Kingsbarns stayed above ground.

His 12 under par 60, though, saw him charge up the leaderboard and into a six-man tie for third spot, two strokes behind Lewis and one adrift of Dutchman Joost Luiten, who posted a fine 63 at Kingsbarns.

“It was cool to have that chance,” said Uihlein. “It was a good day.  Me and my caddie, Sam, we were talking about it, and my second shot, we were like, you know, let's try not even and try and not think about it.  I knew I had to make eagle and gave it a go, hit a good putt. 

“I actually thought it would come back to the right at the end but kept going left.  All in all it was a good day and I am very pleased.  It was just one of those good days and everything just seemed to go in for me.”

As Uihlein was signing his scorecard, Lewis was putting the finishing touches on his 65 at the Old Course. The 22 year old, currently in 155^th place in The Race to Dubai and in need of a big finish in the next four weeks to break into the top 110 retain his playing rights on The European Tour, is never more at home on golf course than when he sets foot on links land.

Winner of the Silver Medal at the 2011 Open Championship, Lewis also won the prestigious St Andrews Links Trophy as an amateur that same year.

“Seven under is a great score,” said Lewis. “I played well today and didn't ever really get under too much pressure.  I drove it well, and I was aggressive, as well. 

“Links golf is always going to suit me because of my flat ball flight and I just feel at home when I step on to a links course. 

“I think I've got a great chance.  If I can just be patient tomorrow and be as aggressive as I have been, and if I can shoot in the red, get anywhere in the 60s, I'll be in a good position to go into Sunday on a course that really suits me.”

The English quartet of Tommy Fleetwood (66 at Carnoustie), Richard McEvoy (67 at Carnoustie), Mark Foster (66 at St Andrews) at Oliver Wilson (67 at St Andrews) and South African Hennie Otto (63 at St Andrews) joined Uilehin on 13 under, while some of the field’s superstar names moved into contention heading into the weekend.

Ernie Els, playing alongside Uihlein, posted a second round 65 to move to ten under, while Darren Clarke and Martin Kaymer produced pair of 66s at Kingsbarns to move to nine under.

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