VYSOKY UJEZD, Czech Republic (AP) — Jamie Donaldson shot a 3-under 69 Friday to retain a one-stroke lead after the second round of the Czech Masters and keep alive his hopes of a spot on Europe’s Ryder Cup team.
Seeking his third European Tour victory, the Welshman was in a position to stretch his lead after producing six birdies and a bogey before finishing the second round with two bogeys on the last three holes for an overall 9-under 135.
“I won’t dwell on the poor shots,” Donaldson said. “I played two pitches at seven and eight and misjudged them both so one’s come out hot and one’s come out dead. That slowed the run down, up until that point I was really motoring.”
Donaldson currently has a qualifying spot for his debut Ryder Cup but still needs a top-seven finish to have a place guaranteed for next month’s match against the United States at Gleneagles.
“If I can go out there tomorrow and play as well as I’ve played over the last couple of days I’ll be in a strong position going into the final round,” Donaldson said.
Gregory Bourdy of France is one stroke back after carding 67.
Another Ryder Cup hopeful Stephen Gallacher (67) is tied in third after the Scot hit five straight birdies for a 7-under 137 while Joost Luiten of the Netherlands, also seeking a Ryder Cup place, shot 71 for a 3-under 141.
It has been an inaugural tournament for the Albatross Golf Resort near Prague as the European Tour returns to the Czech Republic for the first time since 2011.
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