BRADLEY NEIL drew on an all his battling qualities at a course where he has flourished before to make the cut in the European Tour’s NBO Oman Open, writes Bruce Langholm.
While France’s Matthieu Pavon finished as the halfway leader with an 11-under aggregate of 133, Neil produced a rousing late flurry to barge his way up the order with a three-under 69 and ensure he was one of six Scots to make it through to the final 36-holes.
Neil, who earned his promotion to the main European circuit during a dramatic finish to last year’s Challnge Tour Grand Final at this same Al Mouj venue, had been set for an early exit having covered the first 10 holes of his second round in four-over.
Starting on the 10th tee, the Blairgowrie youngster was swiftly on the back foot with a double-bogey six but his fortunes turned as he headed for the home stretch.
Neil covered his last eight holes in a spectacular seven-under during a purposeful, profitable burst that was illuminated by an eagle on the third.
That grandstand finish left Neil on a one-under aggregate and the former Amateur champion is keen to keep working his way up the leaderboard. “Golf is a funny game,” he said. “Fingers crossed that form continues.”
Neil’s fellow rookie, Connor Syme, made his first cut of the new season after a steady 71 left the Fifer in a share of 25th on a three-under tally. Syme was joined on the 141 mark by his Scottish compatriots, Marc Warren (72) and Stephen Gallacher (67).
David Drysdale finished a stroke further back on 143 while Paul Lawrie made the cut with nothing to spare on a 144.
Three weeks after disqualifying himself from the Dubai Desert Classic, France’s Pavon enjoyed a happy return to the Middle East by claiming the halfway lead in Oman
Pavon notified the European Tour that he had inadvertently signed for an incorrect score during the third round in Dubai, a four being recorded on the 10th instead of a five.
But there were no such worries in Muscat following a second round of 65 which gave the 25-year-old a two-shot lead over England’s Matthew Southgate.
On the LPGA Tour, Catriona Matthew’s trip down under ended prematurely as Europe’s Solheim Cup captain missed the cut in the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open.
Matthew, who won the Australian title back in 1996, had rounds of 74 and 76 for a 150. Melrose-born Karis Davidson, who was runner-up in the Vic Open recently, was sitting on the 144 mark with Aberdeen’s Michele Thomson one shot further back.
Jin Young Ko was leading by three with a 134 aggregate.
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