Late Kim joins Maurer and McCarroll

Austria’s Jürgen Maurer (pict © Christian Walgram) and Ireland’s Brandon McCarroll took early half day lead at Gösser Open. They both fired 66 to aggregate -10. Only one player made a big move in the afternoon session, Italian Joon Kim. He signed for same score to join the duo. The cut is fixed at -3, the lowest of the season so far.

Fare morning made the players painted the leader board in birdy red. First fellow to enjoy warm atmosphere was 26 year old Brendan McCarroll. The native from Derry did the perfect day without any drop shot. He explained among other things that the thought of a fishing afternoon in the lake behind the 5^th green made him feel relax on course.

“On course there is no real issue. I fell comfortable. I putt pretty well, and most of all I don’t worry any more about the results as I did last year. Key to win ? I don’t know : keep on making putts? (laugh)”

Jürgen Maurer, co-leader on his home soil had quite a busy afternoon. After playing great he had to answer to many journalists and explained again and again how ha shot 29 on his back nine.

“Yesterday I had a wonderful day, I hit 16 greens and today I was only 3 under after 9 but I holed 10 meters on my 10^th hole, the hole number 1. This eagle launched me and I made 2 birdies in a row on the 2^th and third hole. On these greens it is important to read the grain carefully and to adapt your pace if it is with or without the slope. When I won in 2006, I was -10 close tied and I won after 3 or 4 extra play off holes defeated Italian Massimo Florioli.”

The Italian of the 2012 Gösser Open story played in the afternoon. Discreet Joon Kim made a bogey free card as well and will be part of those running to maiden win.

“I played solid and I feel much more confident on greens than yesterday. I will try to play the same tomorrow. As I never be in contention for winning before I don’t think about it right now but I guess I will try to stay calm and do the best I can.”

From Maria Lankowitz
Agathe Séron