Goya goes one clear at top

MUSCAT: Estanislao Goya was in scintillating form in the second round of the season-ending NBO Golf Classic Grand Final as he catapulted to the top of the leaderboard at Al Mouj Golf in Muscat. The Argentine came into the event 23rd in the Road to Oman Rankings, eight spots outside the sought-after top 15 and a ticket to the European Tour, so needed a dazzling display on the spectacular Greg Norman-designed course. He did just that on day two in Oman with a round of 66 that included eight birdies and the 29-year-old was delighted with his display which leaves him at 11-under par half way through the Challenge Tour’s season-ending event, one clear of Finland’s Oliver Lindell.

“You have to play really well to get yourself into the top 15 but I played really well today,” said Goya. “I’m in a good position and I still have a chance, so I’m just going to go out there and enjoy it this weekend.”

“Al Mouj Golf is the best course we play on the Challenge Tour. It’s a good test and you have to play well, but if you play well it rewards you. It’s a great challenge for the week and is a brilliant location for our Grand Final.”

Closely on Goya’s tail is rising star Lindell who magnificently shot 65 which is the lowest round of the tournament so far. The 18-year-old is 41st in the Road to Oman Rankings and in with a slim chance of progressing onto the European Tour in his maiden season at this level.

“’Something started on the fourth hole where I played really well from 80-120 metres and I shot seven birdies from that point,” revealed Lindell. “I’m really happy with my display.

“Six years ago we made a plan for me to get into the European Tour by 2022 and I’ve nearly got there much sooner so that’s promising.”

The most magical moment of the tournament happened on the eighth hole when Clement Sordet, who is tied for third with compatriot Thomas Linard, hit a hole-in-one to shoot up the leaderboard in this €420,000 finale.

The Frenchman was ecstatic with his ace, even if he didn’t actually know it gone in at the time. “The hole-in-one on the eighth was pretty cool,” said Sordet with a smile.

“I actually didn’t see the ball when it landed but I saw some guys jumping around the green so that was the only way I realised it was in!”

Meanwhile, the Road to Oman leader Tapio Pulkkanen had a day to forget on this tricky course in Muscat which will host a full European event in February 2018 for the first time. The Finnish star shot 11 over par and is now in last place on the leaderboard in Oman after Mikael Lundberg retired through injury. There’s still plenty to play for in the Challenge Tour Grand Final so expect more thrills and drama across the final two days as 15 await their European Tour destiny and one is crowned NBO Golf Classic Grand Final champion.

NBO GOLF CLASSIC SCORES

Second round

133 - Goya Estanislao (ARG)

134 - Lindell Oliver (FIN)

135 - Linard Thomas (FRA), Sordet Clement (FRA)

136 - Kinhult Marcus (SWE), Meronk Adrian (POL)

137 - Cullen Nick (AUS)

138 - Fernandez Scott (ESP), Heisele Sebastian (GER)

139 - Farr Oliver (WAL), Heath James (ENG), Lengden Oscar (SWE), Oriol Pedro (ESP), Rai Aaron (ENG)

140 - Huizing Daan (NED), Schwab Matthias (AUT)