Tee Times Portugal Golf – Portugal PGA National Championship – Tiago Cruz leads
Tee Times Portugal Golf – Portugal PGA National Championship – Tiago Cruz leads at Palmares Golf Course
Tiago Cruz showed today why recently won the Open in the Ilha Terceira (Azores) and jumped to the No. 1 position of the Order of Merit PGA of Portugal, to take isolated command of PGA National Championship.
Cruz, former national amateur champion in 2005 in Ribagolfe, won the national runner-up professional in 2012 at Quinta do Peru and in 2013 at the Pestana Vila Sol, and chases again one of the few national titles that are lacking.
In the tournament of the Portuguese Golf Federation, the PGA of Portugal is organizing the Onyria Palmares Beach & Golf Resort in the Algarve, with 12 000 euros in prize money, the professional sponsored by Banco Big (Bank) sums 137 strokes, Par 7 below the composite routes of Lagos and Praia.
Yesterday, with the wind blowing from the beginning of the round and not just half like yesterday, Cruz joined a card of 69 (-3) to 68 (-4) the previous day and the consistency remains his personal brand .
Before yesterday, the player from Estoril did front nine and the back nine at -2 today doubled in the first 9 seconds -1 and 9, in which has not lost any bump in -2.
A chip and three putts in nine cost him one double-bogey, the only really negative aspect in two days of competition. In 36 holes made just two bogeys and one double. A contrast to the two Ricardos that led him to 18 holes – Santos Gouveia and Melo – any one with eagles, birdies but also doubles and bogeys!
Santos completes trio of brothers at No. 1
Ricardo Santos, national champion 2011 Ribagolfe and No. 1 ranked PGA of Portugal, fell to 2nd place and admits he was less consistent than the result of 70 leaves transpire (-2). He is just one shot of the leader and has everything still in the open.
With the wind to slow down the game, to the point that some groups have taken five and a half hours, but at the same time to get the ball rolling on the greens even more, only one of the title contenders managed to play better than yesterday Hugo Santos, the author of the best round of the tournament by 67 strokes, Par 5 below.
Apparently recovered of a painful back injury, the national champion in the 212 and Quinta do Peru No. 1 of the Order of Merit PGA of Portugal between 2011 and 2013 only lost one shot in 18 holes, seemed to master the winds and jumped to 2nd place (-6), tied with his younger brother.
There are 7 players below the 36 holes Par
These three players will be out today in the last group, from 9:48 a.m. A trio of luxury, a trio of No. 1 Order of Merit Ranking and PGA of Portugal.
But they are not the only title contenders. There are four more players below Par, with some assumptions on the prowl for one of the front hitch.
Ricardo Melo Gouveia, who lead at 18 holes, the day he turned 23 years, down to 4 (-5), after yesterday to 71 (-1); Gonçalo Pinto closes the top-5 (-3) after today deliver a card of 71 (-1); and the 6th position (-2) is shared by 11-time national champion, António Sobrinho (72 today) and the Spanish Juan Martín (two rounds of 71).
Statements of Tiago Cruz
Play with Ricardo Santos is always a pleasure, long time since I played with him and it was a great.
Was more wind yesterday than before. We got started later, it was all around with the wind. I had a little more trouble on the greens, because with this wind have an idea of the line with more or less force, but I could adapt myself well.
A chip and three putts, which is not admissible, but at the end of the day, 3 below is a great result with this time was a good lap, despite an error on the 9th hole which cost me a double-bogey was.
From day to day I’m improving my swing and give the best shots, have evolved with more competition comes more confidence and everything is leaving me better. The outputs are good and I’m well.
I’ve been at least twice 2nd place in this National Championship and this year I was 2nd in all tournaments least where I won the Third. Let’s see if I can now 1st place.
If all goes well it will be my first win as national champion, but there are still 18 holes, the Hugo and Ricardo are great players, there is still a lot of work.
Ricardo Santos has evolved greatly, especially in personality, no longer angry with the bad shots, keeps more calm in that aspect.
The short game it was already good and now is even better. Tour in the greens are always fast, are hard and you have to have good touch (the ball) and the worst part of it is the putt.
It is with some difficulty in putt, but I think I’ll get in tournaments missing the card for next year.
Source: PGA Portugal
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