Cormac Sharvin followed his opening 65 with a second-round 66 to move to the front of the Irish pack heading into the weekend at the D+D REAL Czech Challenge at Royal Beroun Golf Club.
He’s joined by Paul Dunne, Conor O’Rourke, Paul McBride, Michael Young, Ronan Mullarney, Stuart Grehan and Daniel Mulligan in making the cut, while John Murphy and Mark Power missed out.
Sharvin has yet to make a bogey through 36 holes, firing five birdies on day one and following with two on each side on day two. His nine-under tally leaves him tied for 18th, however, as Royal Beroun is playing favourable and the field were in no mood to take pity on the course.
Dunne is making just his second Challenge Tour start of the year and got to -12 after nine holes on day two having covered his first nine – the back nine – in -5. He’ll be extremely disappointed to have dropped four shots over the closing five holes, however, as he needs a strong finish to boost his chances of gaining status for 2025. But at -8 and tied for 24th, he’s got two more rounds to press forward.
O’Rourke, McBride and Young all sit on -6 after rounds of 66, 66 and 71 respectively, while Mullarney, Grehan and Mulligan all made the cut on the number at -5.
Benjamin Follett-Smith and Maxence Giboudot share a one stroke lead at the halfway stage.
Follett-Smith and Giboudot impressed for the second successive day to reach 15 under par for the week, one clear of Haraldur Magnus from Iceland and Finn Oliver Lindell.
Zimbabwean Follett-Smith was one of the early starters on day two and posted a bogey-free eight under par round of 62 to climb into the lead.
The 30-year-old is yet to card a bogey this week, and thinks consistency has been key to his success so far, as he looks to move inside the top 72 in the Road to Mallorca Rankings and guarantee his place in the Hainan Open next week.
“I’ve kept it in play, I’ve been driving it nicely, my iron play can be a bit better but my wedges and putting have been going well,” he said. “It’s been consistent golf with both days bogey-free.
“Being in this position is always nice. Getting a chance and being in contention is what we practice and play for every week.
“It’s just important to play the week as it is and not really think about anything else like China next week. Hopefully I can keep the same mindset over the next two days.”
Frenchman Giboudot recorded six birdies, an eagle and a solitary bogey to sign for a seven under par 63 on day two to join Follett-Smith at the top.
The 20-year-old has played the closing six holes in a collective 12 under par through two days and is excited to be in contention with 36 holes to play.
“I was on fire on the back nine and I really like this part of the course,” he said. “I feel like every putt I hit on that part of the course, it’s going to go in.
“It’s nice to have confidence on that part of the course and hopefully it can stay the same over the last two days.
“It’s going to be my first time being in the last group on the Challenge Tour so I’m going to try to enjoy every moment and see what happens.”