The Hidalgo surprise continues, Rahm and Guerrier in contact

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The Spanish Open is led after two rounds by the unexpected Angel Hidalgo, 398th in the world. Already the only leader after the first round, the player from Marbella widened the gap with his pursuers. But behind him, boys like Jon Rahm or Tommy Fleetwood are in ambush. Julien Guerrier, a lover of this tournament, is still on the provisional podium.

The wind left the players more in peace this Friday on the greens and fairways of the Villa de Madrid Country Club. The scores, however, still had difficulty taking off, on a course that Matthew Pavon was martyred during his victory last year (-23). Only one player seems to acclimatize perfectly to these changing conditions and to a tricky course with very thick roughs. He’s Spanish, but he’s not necessarily the one you expect.

Find the complete ranking and tee times for the 3rd round

Jon Rahmthe star of LIFE Golfis perfectly in the game in third position, but he is at a respectable distance (five shots) from his compatriot Angel Hidalgo.

This young 26-year-old even surprises his audience by leading the way at -10 with four shots ahead of the Englishman. Joe Dean. After his initial 65, Hidalgo scored 67 this Friday “ by playing with more control over his shots than the day before” according to his own words. Winner only once on the Challenge Tour in 2021, the bearded Andalusian must prepare for a weekend under pressure. The public, his audience, will be able to admire his ball striking which we will describe as committed…

Hunters in Major mode

Behind him, on the hunt, there are some beautiful people. Very beautiful people.

Jon Rahm begins his tournament campaign DP World Tour this week in Madrid, with a view to keeping your card and being eligible for Ryder Cup. The two-time Major winner signed a solid 69 which places him on the provisional podium, in an attacking position that he likes. At his side, we find another LIV player, also a former winner of the Mastersthe American Patrick Reed. And a little further, the veteran Jimmy Walker45 years old, winner of the PGA Championship 2016et Tommy Fleetwood12th in the world, whose almost infallible big game can help him overcome his six-shot deficit.

Beautiful linen therefore, and champions who will have long teeth to come back from behind.

Hoshino, the splits

Because you can make birdies on this course, a lot of birdies, as long as you hit the fairways to begin with. The proof with the exceptional day of the Japanese Rikuya Hoshinowho almost broke the course record but had to settle for a 62 with a bogey on his 18th hole. On the Nippon map there are still ten birdies… His -9 here improves his score from the first round (+7) by… fifteen points!

Best French warrior

Among those who will be able to make life difficult in Hidalgo is Julien Guerrier. At the party during his last three Spanish Opens (9th in 2018, 3rd in 2021 and 6th in 2023), the winner of the British Amateur in 2006 is still in the game this week. He once again managed to play under par (-1) and finds himself provisional 3rd alongside Rahm and Reed in particular.

There will be many of them trying something nice this weekend. Jeong Weon Ko confirms his good form at the moment (23rd after these two rounds, just like Tom Vaillant), Victor Perez et Matthew Pavon are a little further away (37th) but perfectly capable of pulling out a big card that would change the face of their tournament, just like Romain Langasque et Ugo Coussaudwho fought hard to make the cut by finishing his last six holes in -3. His very good result at Wentworth did not satisfy him!

David Ravetto, Grégory Bourdy et Clement Sordet stop there.