News from European Challenge Tour

Ellias 62 gives him a two-shot
lead in Poland's Wroclaw Open

From Paul Symes, Challenge Tour Press Officer
Challenge Tour rookie Andrew Willey was the surprise clubhouse leader in the early stages of day two of the inaugural DHL Wroclaw Open, after the Englishman added a round of 64 to his opening day 66 for a 10 under par total of 130.
Later Willey was headed by Sweden's Mattias Eliasson with a 62 for 128 over the par-70 lay-out.
After suffering a bout of food poisoning the night before the AGF-Allianz Open Côtes d’Armor Bretagne last month, Willey carded a quintuple bogey ten on the first hole en route to an opening round of 80.
But the man from Nottingham banished those memories with some superb shot making at Toya Golf and Country Club in Wroclaw, Poland, collecting seven birdies and a solitary bogey.
He said: “Because I’d come from the Europro Tour, it’s taken me a while to adjust and move my game up another level. I played really well out in Italy [at the Piemonte Open] last week, but just didn’t hole enough putts. I finished 36th in the end, so I’m gradually improving all the time. Hopefully I can break into the top 20 or go even better here. I’m really enjoying myself so far – long may it continue.”
After reaching the turn in 29 Mattias Eliasson’s thoughts had turned to the magical mark of 59, but in the end the Swede had to settle for a round of 62 and the clubhouse lead on 12 under par 128 with a third of the field still to come in.
After an opening round of 66 which featured a brace of eagles but also a trio of bogeys, consistency was the watchword for Eliasson, whose five consecutive birdies on his front nine have put him in sight of his maiden European Challenge Tour title.
Eliasson said: “After nine holes I was definitely thinking about shooting 59, because I’ve never done that before – not many golfers have. I’m still happy with a 62, although I would’ve liked to have taken the course record from Wil [Besseling]. But obviously my main goal now is to win the tournament, because I’ve never won on The European Tour or on the Challenge Tour before.”
Leading early scores:
SECOND ROUND
Par 140 (2 x 70)
128 M Eliasson (Swe) 66 62.
130 A Willey (Eng) 66 64.
131 W Bessseling (Net) 62 69.
133 O Floren (Swe) 66 67, G Clark (Eng) 66 67, O David (Fra) 67 66, M Tullo (Chi) 66 67, A McArthur (Sco) 66 67, M Zions (Aus) 68 65, R Karlberg (swe) 68 65, M Ruiz (Par) 66 67.
134 J Axgren (Swe) 69 65, J Clement (Swi) 69 65, G Boyd (Eng) 66 68, K L Jorensen (Den) 64 70.
135 I Van Weerelt (Net) 67 68, E Rush (Eng) 68 67, J Wahlqvist (Swe) 67 68, A Hogberg (Swe) 69 66, C Hannell (Swe) 70 65, J Garcia (Spa) 75 70, R Treis (Ger) 67 68.
Other scores:
136 A Tampion (Aus) 67 69, R Ramsay (Sco) 67 69 (jt 25th).
138 C Brazillier (Fra) 67 71; C Cardeza (Arg) 70 68; F Henge (Swe) 69 69; C Reimbold 70 68.

MISSED THE CUT (138 and better qualified)

140 E Dominguez (Arg) 69 71; J Sköld (Swe) 72 68; M D Smith (Eng) 70 70.
142 T Dykes (Wal) 71 71, S Henderson (Sco) 71 71, G Murray (Sco) 74 68..
143 J Morrison (Eng) 73 70.
150 R Russell (Sco) 78 72.
151 R Bechu (Fra) 74 77.