The Algarve Open de Portugal has been reduced to 54 holes, with play due to re-commence tomorrow morning following a day of extremely low scoring at the weather disrupted event. Sweden's Carl Pettersson and England's David Gilford share the clubhouse lead on a remarkable 2 under par, while Des Smyth leads the Irish challenge back on 5 over. David Higgins and Philip Walton failed to master the conditions and returned with a 36 hole total of ten over and 14 over respectively.
Gilford, a former Ryder Cup player, put his years of experience to good use to grab a share of the lead with Pettersson going into Sunday's final round. The event was reduced to 54 holes after it took until Saturday to complete the second round at the windswept Vale do Lobo course on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean.
Gilford hit four birdies in a level par 72 to give himself a two under par total of 142. Petterson had been six shots ahead when the second round resumed, but he too came unstuck in the trying conditions, hitting a double bogey at the opening hole, the seventh, before dropping a further five shots on the next nine holes. A birdie at the 17th saw him finish with a 76 to tie Gilford on two under par 142.
Filed by Shane Murray
