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Wood leads way as British and Irish golfers dominate Iberdrola Open

By PA Sport
Published on
Wood leads way as British and Irish golfers dominate Iberdrola Open

Chris Wood claimed a three-stroke advantage at the European Tour’s Iberdrola Open on Friday as British and Irish golfers dominated the upper reaches of the leaderboard heading into the weekend.

The 23-year-old, who burst onto the scene with a fifth-place finish as an amateur at the 2008 British Open, added a 5-under 65 to his opening 67 to lead by three over fellow Englishman Matthew Nixon and Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke.

Wood carded six birdies on Friday and was on course to lead by four until a bogey at the par-4 16th knocked him back a stroke.

His closest challengers, Clarke and Nixon, were both level on Friday to sit 5 under overall.

For Clarke, it was a major recovery after a double bogey at the third and a further dropped shot at the ninth saw him go out in 3-over 38, but for European Tour rookie Nixon there was frustration with a double at the 18th.

The 21-year-old, who was the only amateur to secure a European Tour card at last year's Q-School, claimed six birdies but was hampered by two bogeys and, most harmfully, two doubles at the par-4 third and par-3 18th. But the Manchester golfer was not focusing on the disappointment at the last as he turned his attention to the weekend.

"I think I'll be more dwelling on the fact that I am playing well and have a great chance over the weekend having missed the last two cuts," he said. "I just have to go out there and give it 100 percent and see what happens.

“There are scores to be made out there but if you hit a couple of loose ones then you can make a big number so hopefully I can keep it going and keep the mistakes off the card,” he added. "There is work to do over the weekend and some great players in the field, so I will keep my head down and see what it brings over the next couple of days."

Nixon achieved the best result of his fledgling professional career in Spain, finishing 11th at the Andalucia Open in March.

One shot behind Nixon on 4 under was another Englishman, David Lynn, and France's Thomas Levet. A further stroke back were Ireland's Simon Thornton, Scotland's Paul Lawrie and England's Danny Willett, who was second overnight, as golfers from the British Isles made up seven of the top eight.

For overnight leader Gregory Bourdy, Friday was as bad as Thursday was good. After taking control with a course-record 63, he was 7 over on Friday, a triple-bogey 7 at the 12th doing much of the damage, and finished the day tied for 21st on level par.