2008 Volvo China Open - Round 2: Lorenzo-Vera hangs on to one-shot lead

Michael Lorenzo-Vera of France is enjoying one of the best starts to his rookie year when he produced another battling performance to move a single shot ahead of his closest rivals at the Volvo China Open on Friday.

Lorenzo-Vera carded a three-under-par 69 to take his two-day total to eight-under-par 136, ahead of England’s Richard Finch and Ireland’s Damien McGrane who both finished on matching 137s.

England’s Oliver Wilson, who posted the day’s best score of 66 is a further shot back in fourth place while defending champion, Markus Brier of Austria is tied for fifth with Jason Knutzon of the United States and England’s Zane Scotland and Simon Griffiths

With the euphoria of taking the lead at the US$2.2 million event sanctioned by the Asian Tour, European Tour and China Golf Association, Lorenzo-Vera knows that he will have to work hard on remaining calm and finding some well-needed sleep before the weekend rounds get underway.

“I always look super relaxed but the hands are always shaking. It took nine holes to get relaxed. Normally it takes three holes but not today,” said Lorenzo-vera who finished with a mix of seven birdies, two bogeys and a double bogey.

“I suppose the weekend will be harder. Yesterday it was quite hard for me to get to sleep as I was thinking too much about what might happen. Maybe I will take pills to sleep,” added Lorenzo-Vera.

Finch, who was the early halfway leader in the morning, began the day trailing overnight leader Lorenzo-Vera by a single shot. The Englishman recorded an opening bogey when he teed off on the opening front nine.

However, he made amends and was quickly on the charge after that.

“It was benign and lovely out there in the morning. The wind did pick up as we played the back nine but nothing compared to yesterday,” said Finch who had to battle the gusty conditions on his opening day.

“Yesterday I got off to a great start and that gave me a cushion to play well. I just have to stay patient now,” added Finch who is seeking his first win on an Asian Tour and European Tour sanctioned event this season.

Griffiths meanwhile, got off the blocks with an opening eagle three on the 557-yard par-five, 10th but made four costly bogeys on his opening back nine to make the turn at 38.

The Asian Tour regular redeemed himself on his homeward run reeling in two birdies against another bogey to finish in 72.

“This course can bite you any minute. You’ve got to keep trying as hard as you can. It is a difficult course,” said Griffiths.

“I didn’t really play exceptionally well, couple of good shots but difficult. It’s breezy and the greens are hard to read,” added the Asian Tour regular.

Home favourite, Liang made up for his slow opening round score of 73 by reeling in six birdies against two bogeys to move back into contention for the title.

“I started really well with an opening birdie, followed by another on the third. In fact, most of the holes which I did not fare too well yesterday, I managed to improve on them today,” said Liang.

“Obviously, tomorrow’s a very important day not only for me but also for the others. I hope to improve on my scores. I think even if you are three or four strokes behind, it’s still possible to play catch-up. Anything can happen,” added the 2007 Asian Tour number one who shares ninth place with fellow Asian Tour stalwart, Airil Rizman of Malaysia.

In-form Airil recorded a 141 while Australia’s Adam Groom had the proud distinction of scoring a hole-in-one on the 199-yard par three with a five-iron.

The Australian returned with a 143 to take a share of 17th place.

The cut was set at four-over par with a total of 69 players making it into the weekend rounds.

Leading second round scores (click here for full leaderboard):

136 - Michael Lorenzo-Vera (FRA) 67-69
137 - Richard Finch (ENG) 68-69; Damien Mcgrane (IRL) 68-69
138 - Oliver Wilson (ENG) 72-66
140 - Markus Brier (AUT) 71-69; Simon Griffiths (ENG) 68-72; Jason Knutzon (USA) 68-72; Zane Scotland (ENG) 68-72
141 - Liang Wen-chong (CHN) 73-68; Robert-Jan Derksen (NED) 70-71; Airil Rizman (MAS) 69-72; Joost Luiten (NED) 68-73

Selected Scores:

145 - David Howell (ENG) 72-73
152 – Zhang Lian-wei (CHN) 77-75

April 18, 2008