Bourdy looking good in Austria

Gregory Bourdy holds a commanding four shot lead heading into the weekend at the Austrian Open after a second round of 67.

Having led overnight courtesy of an opening 65, the Frenchman was again in excellent form at the Diamond Country Club, carding six birdies and just a solitary bogey to move to 12-under for the event.

It means he sits four clear of England’s Chris Wood and fellow Frenchman Gary Stal, who signed for rounds of 69 and 68 respectively to lift themselves to eight-under in Atzenbrugg.

The round of the day came from unheralded Spaniard Carlos Pigem who shot a 65 to leave himself in a tie for fourth alongside Rafa Cabrera-Cabello, while English youngster Matthew Fitzpatrick is joint sixth after a second successive 69.

However, the Austrian fans will not have the opportunity to cheer on home favourite Bernd Wiesberger over the weekend, as his 67 on Friday saw him fall short of the cut mark after opening with a 79.

It appears to be Bourdy’s tournament to lose though and after his round, the 33-year-old was understandably content with his game and believes remaining patient will be the key to his chances of securing a fifth European Tour crown.

“It was a great day today – especially the way I started with five birdies on my front nine,” he told the Tour’s official website.”It’s always nice to be leading a tournament and that is why we practice so hard: to compete and to win events so hopefully I can get a win this week but I have to stay focussed and play shot by shot and see where it takes me on Sunday.”