Paul Broadhurst is puzzled why he still leading the Farmfoods European Seniors Masters at the Forest of Arden when his ball-striking has been off the boil. Picture by GETTY IMAGES
TWO-time Senior Major Champion Paul Broadhurst heads a star-studded leaderboard at the Farmfoods European Senior Masters on seven-under par after posting a second round of 68, at Forest of Arden Hotel and Country Club.
The Englishman carded five birdies, an eagle and three bogeys in his four -under par 68.
The 2016 Senior Open winner leads by one shot from a group of seven players on six-under, including two Major Champions in Paul Lawrie and Ian Woosnam.
Broadhurst, playing in his first Staysure Tour event of the season, outside of the Senior Majors, was somewhat relieved to see his name at the top of the 36-hole leaderboard after admitting he was not at his best at the Coventry course.
“I don’t know whether it’s jet-lag or something, but I just haven’t swung it very well this week,” said Broadhurst, who is attached to Northamptonshire County Golf Club.
“It’s been okay on the practice area but I just haven’t been hitting shots the way I’ve been hitting it recently.
“I fat-chunked two six-irons – on six and nine – 20 yards short of the green and I’ve fat-chunked a three-rescue into 17 and somehow made birdie from it.
“There have been some poor, poor shots but I’ve obviously made some good shots as well and when I’ve hit a good shot, I’ve made birdie off it.
“It’s been a rollercoaster and I’m still leading so obviously I’m pleased,” added Broadhurst, who grew up in Walsall, and won six times on the European Tour between
“I’m not used to leading a tournament and not hitting it particularly well, said the West Midlands golfer, who played in Europe’s infamous 1991 War on the Shore Ryder Cup defeat by the USA at Kiawah Island, in South Carolina – despite not losing either of his two matches.
“Normally, you’re playing pretty well when you’re leading a tournament so tomorrow could be interesting,” added Broadhurst, whose son Sam was on the bag when he won the Seniors’ Claret Jug at Carnoustie.
Broadhurst Junior had a good summer in 2019 reaching the last 32 in the English Amateur Championship at Hankley Common after winning the North East of England Youth Championship last year and three wins at Tennessee’s Lincoln Memorial College in 2018.
With a one-shot lead heading into what is poised to be a dramatic final day on the Staysure Tour, Broadhurst only has one thing on his mind after jetting in from America for this week’s tournament.
“This is what I came back to England for,” added Nuneaton-based Broadhurst. “I didn’t come here to finish third, fourth or fifth, I want to win the tournament.
“I want to win in front of my home fans, my family and my friends.
“With that, I do put myself under a bit more pressure. You want to play well in front of all your pals, because I don’t get that chance very often as I’m playing in America so much.
“Maybe I need to take the pressure off myself and just go out and play.”
The 54-year-old will not be the only one with the trophy in his sights on Sunday, with Lawrie and Woosnam leading a chasing pack of players nicely placed for a title assault on the final day.
Lawrie, the 1999 Open Champion and Woosnam, the 1991 Masters Champion, are joined in a five-way tie for second place on six-under.
On the same mark are Sussex’s Gary Evans, Australia’s six-time Staysure Tour winner Peter Fowler, 2004 Ryder Cup winner Thomas Levet, Argentina’s Mauricio Molina and Austrian Markus Brier, who was tied for the lead with Broadhurst before bogeying his final hole in round two.
Just a stroke further back are Welshman Stephen Dodd, Sweden’s Jarmo Sandelin and Lancashire’s David Shacklady, who has won twice in his last three Staysure Tour appearances.
The final round gets under way at 9.30am, with Broadhurst playing in the final group alongside Evans and Woosnam at 10.50am. For live scoring click here.
