England’s Matt Wallace has broken the course record in Turin to surge into contention as playing partner Joaquin Niemann led the Open d’Italia at the halfway stage.
Wallace fired 10 birdies and a bogey in a superb 62 to reach 11 under par, still four shots behind Niemann, who followed his opening 64 with a 63 to lead by two from second-placed Angel Ayora.
Wallace finished his round by chipping in at the ninth to beat the record of 63 set just the previous day by Edoardo Molinari, playing on his home course at Circolo Golf Torino.
And the Englishman, who gave a tearful interview after narrowly missing out on last year’s Ryder Cup, joked that he may have harmed his chances again by taking the record – and the chance of a $57,000 bonus prize – from Luke Donald’s trusted vice-captain.
He said: “I’m not doing my Ryder Cup many favours am I, beating Dodo (Molinari)? I should have just two-putted it or something.”
Elvis Smylie was the highest-placed Aussie, a second-round 69 leaving him in a tie for 47th, 11 shots behind the leader.
Jack Buchanan and David Micheluzzi were a shot further back, one ahead of Jason Scrivener.
