Shenzhen: Eugenio Chacarra's pre-tournament billing as one of the hot favourites was substantiated yesterday when he took the halfway lead on nine-under-par 135 following a four-under 68 at the US$1.5 million Volvo China Open.
The Spaniard led by one from Chinese players Zhang Huilin, who won this event in 2020, and Chen Guxin, who fired rounds of 69 and 68 respectively at Hidden Grace Golf Club.
Australian Jack Thompson, winner of the Asian Tour qualifying school in January, had appeared on course to finish the day in front on 11 under with six to play but he struggled in the fading light, bogeying the fifth and eighth holes and making a double on nine -- his last hole -- having started on 10.
He signed for a 70 to finish in a tie for fourth on seven under with American Andy Ogletree, the runaway leader of the International Series and Asian Tour Order of Merits, who took a step closer to wrapping up those titles early on after carding a 69, and his compatriot Paul Peterson, who returned the same score.
Chacarra won the St Andrews Bay Championship in August after a record 10-hole play-off against Matt Jones of Australia for his first win as a professional in a 72-hole stroke-play event and looks like being the man to catch this weekend.
"I have been struggling with my sleep. I came in here from the US with a 14-hour delay at an airport sitting down which didn't help my body and it's a 13-hour difference from where I live," said the 23-year-old from Madrid who has only been a pro for a year.