Round 2 of the 2023 European Amateur Championship in Estonia saw low scores, a lengthy weather delay and a hole-in-one.
Parnu Bay Golf Links was left defenseless once again in calm and soft conditions, with 16-under the score at the top of the leaderboard after just 36 holes.
Jose Luis Ballester (ESP), one of four players to shoot 62 (-10) in Round 1, got off to a slow start in Round 2.
The Spaniard was +1 for the first six holes before play was suspended due to inclement weather. Three-hour delay seemed to favour him, as he'd make six birdies in his closing nine holes to set the bar for the field at -16.
James Ashfield (WAL) was the only other player able to match him before play stopped on Thursday evening. After a second consecutive round of 64 (-8), with just one bogey on the card through 36 holes, the Welshman will start alongside Ballester in Friday's final group.
James Claridge (ENG) signed for the lowest score of the day with the fifth 62 (-10) of the week to climb 80 positions on the leaderboard and into a tie for 20th.
Although the shot of the day went to Michael Mjaaseth (NOR), who holed out with a 9-iron on the par-3 17th to get within just one shot of the leaders. The former European Young Masters champion, who is yet to drop a shot, sits in a tie for fourth with Portugal's Danial Da Costa Rodrigues after rounds of (-9) and 66 (-6).
Five groups had to finish Round 2 on Friday morning, after play was suspended due to darkness at 22:30 Thursday night.
Amongst them was Germany's Tiger Christensen, who took advantage of the calm conditions at 7am to birdie two of his last three holes and join the leaders on 16-under-par. He'll compete in the final group on Friday afternoon alongside Ballester and Ashfield.
A packed international leaderboard sees 20 players within just five shots of the lead with 36 holes left to play. All 144 players will complete a third round on Friday before a cut is made for the top-60 and ties ahead of Saturday's final 18. With many low scores, the cut-line currently sits at -7.
