It wasn’t nearly as spectacular on a dreich second day in the Close House bio-bubble, but David Law ensured he kept his momentum going to stay well in the hunt for the Betfred British Masters.
Law’s charge of seven birdies in eight holes on the opening day meant the Aberdonian had a stroke lead after 18 holes, but while nothing as startling occurred as the weather closed in on the slopey course near Newcastle, it was one sharp exclamation rather than rapid-fire scoring that allowed him a 69 and to complete the first 36 holes of the European Tour’s coronavirus comeback event with just one bogey.
He now lies two behind Italy’s quickfire 23-year-old Renato Paratore – the fastest player in professional golf – but superbly placed to bid for his second tour title, to follow the Vic Open title he won in Australia in February of last year.
Law’s eagle at the long uphill 10th which lies alongside to the left the Northumberland resort’s main entrance avenue got him going after an initial run of nine pars to start his second round. An untidy bogey at the short 14th stalled him only briefly, corrected with a birdie at the long 17th, heading to the last two rounds with a nine-under total of 132.
“I’m happy with that,” he said afterwards. “I didn’t drive the ball particularly well, but the rough isn’t that thick round here and the greens are obviously soft, so you can get away with it.
“I hit a lot of greens on the front nine without hitting a lot of fairway. Back nine, I didn’t hit as many greens but over the next two days, the important thing is to have opportunities.
“My iron play feels good and my putting feels good. If I can just drive in the fairway, it might just give me enough chances over the next two days.”
On the greens, Law has changed to an arm-anchor putting style, although he admits that part of his game was never a real problem.
“It just feels more consistent,” he said. “”I had a conventional putting grip before and have never really struggled with my putting but like everyone else, I always feel I can hole more putts.
“I like the arm-lock method, so when we locked down, I thought, ‘I’ll give it a proper go’.
“It’s locked on my forearm and it makes my upper body a lot more still through the putt. I’m happy how that is going.”
Yesterday’s round was “one of those days when you hit it to 30 feet all day and two-putt” but the exception was the four-iron to the hilltop 10th green and a 12 foot eagle putt.
Law had something of a reaction to his maiden victory, in only his fifth start in his debut season on tour, but he’s keen to kick on again now.
“I think what I have learned since my win is to keep aiming high, keep trying to win tournaments, which I haven’t done obviously since breaking through in Australia,” he said.
“The big thing is trying to keep making birdies and keep pushing on.”
