Open de Espana: Jon Rahm just makes cut as Matthieu Pavon keeps lead after second round at Spanish Open

Jon Rahm repeatedly shook his head in disbelief during a frustrating Friday at the Spanish Open; Rahm made the cut by one stroke and is eight strokes behind leader and last year’s finalist Matthieu Pavon; watch the Spanish Open live on Sky Sports Golf from 12:30 p.m. Saturday

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Highlights from the second round of the Spanish Open from Club de Campo Villa de Madrid.

Matthieu Pavon maintained his one-stroke lead after the second round of the Spanish Open on a home-favorite day and defending champion Jon Rahm fell.

Rahm’s hopes of extending a run that has seen him win his home open in three of the last four years were severely diminished by a one-over 72, leaving him on three under for the tournament and tied for 45th. place while he qualified. by one stroke – eight strokes behind Pavon.

The No. 3-ranked golfer, who was hit by a flying divot at one point, looked like he was about to snap a club on his leg when one of his approach shots failed to find the green.

That leaves him with a tough task this weekend as he aims to surpass Seve Ballesteros by winning a fourth title at his home tournament.

“I’m still aiming for victory. I’m eight behind, after not playing well, so I can recover easily, especially if the weather gets worse and the course gets a little more difficult,” Rahm said.

“What happened to me today can happen to anyone, so if I play well tomorrow and get closer to minus-10, I’ll have a good chance on Sunday.”

He added: “Few times in my career have I made so many good putts and not made them.”

Jon Rahm made the cut with one shot after a round of 72 that left him tied for 45th.

Pavon, who was runner-up to Rahm last year in Madrid, followed up his opening day with a 63 with a 68 for a total of 131 – 11. Wil Besseling and Shubhankar Sharma were one shot behind in a tie for second place at the club. from Campo Villa in Madrid.

“It seems like it’s really a place that suits my game. Lots of memories from last year, so I feel really comfortable on the course. I’m very happy with the result today,” said Pavon said.

Rahm, who began the day four shots off the lead after opening with a 67, looked out of sorts early on and grew frustrated as the round progressed. He struggled to find the fairways – he only made five – and missed several short putts to remain in danger of missing the cut line at two under for most of the round.

He made only one birdie – on the par-five seventh hole – and made two bogeys. After finishing his round, he appeared to turn away the television cameras as he walked off the 18th green in front of a disappointed crowd.

Matthieu Pavon still in the lead halfway through the Spanish Open

Justin Rose, who was also at the Ryder Cup and was the only other top-50 player to compete in the tournament in the Spanish capital, shot 67 to place seven shots behind Pavon.

“I think the 10 feet and inches cost me this week. I think I used them all at the Ryder Cup. I feel like I missed 13 or 14 putts in the 10 feet,” Rose said.

“I mean, I hit a lot of shots close to the flag this week and I just didn’t capitalize. I probably need two 64s this weekend just to have a chance, but I’m playing pretty well – I just need this putter to warm up.”

Pavon made one bogey and eight pars on his first nine holes, but finished strong with four birdies on his last six holes, including the last two.

Besseling stayed just behind with a 68 that included four birdies and a bogey, while Sharma joined him near the top with another round of 66 after seven birdies and two bogeys.

The top Spaniard of the weekend was Alfredo Garca-Heredia, who shot 64 for one of the best rounds of the day after making seven birdies and not losing a shot.

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