Practice pays off for John Mellor in Denmark

From Steve Todd, European Challenge Tour Press Officer
Englishman John Mellor is hoping his hot putter can ignite his season after a second successive four under par 68 gave him a share of the early clubhouse lead at the ECCO Tour Championship in Denmark.
Mellor, a friend of Lee Westwood, is currently back in 141st on the European Challenge Tour but the former European Tour player believes an all important Top 20 spot is still within his reach as he enters the business end of the season.
He posted six bogeys and two bogeys for the second day in a row to join Finland’s Antti Ahokas and Sweden’s Fredrik Henge as the early second round clubhouse leaders on eight under par.
Mellor missed the cut in the Czech Republic last week but said three days of solid practice at home had paid off so far at Kokkedal Golf Club in Copenhagen.
“I felt I played well last week but didn’t hole anything so I flew back on Saturday and on Saturday afternoon I was out practising,” he said. “I wanted to consolidate the way I was playing and had three days at home and I came here feeling good.
“I’m putting very well and I’m not making too many mistakes out there. I’ve got Kazakhstan and then four events before the Grand Final so if you win an event you can move right up. I’m feeling confident about my game at the moment.
Overnight leader Henge followed his opening round 66 with a solid round of 70, with birdies on the fifth and 11th holes, while Ahokas recovered from two bogeys on his front nine to card four consecutive biridies en route to a 69.
EARLY SECOND-ROUND LEADERS
Par 144 (2 x 72)
136 A Ahokas (Fin) 67 69; J Mellor (Eng) 68 68; F Henge (Swe) 66 70
137 E Johansen (Nor) 68 69; A Hansen (Den) 70 67;
138 R Kakko (Fin) 67 71; K Eriksson (Swe) 71 67; S Jeppesen (Swe) 70 68; L Bond (Wal) 70 68