It was another beautiful day for the 2^nd round of the 2024 Ein Bay Open being played at stunning Sokhna Golf Club. Play began again at 7:00 am local time with sunny skies and a pleasant temperature. The scoring conditions were more favorable in the morning as the wind that picked up later in the day.

Manfredi Manica from Italy who was tied for 3^rd place after round 1, has now moved into the lead after round 2 at the 2024 Ein Bay Open with a fabulous bogey-free 7 under-par,65 round with 5 birdies and 1 eagle. He is 28 years old and represents Castello di Tolcinasco Golf Club. Manica captured his first professional win on the Alps Tour last year at the 2023 Aravell Golf Open by Creand. At the conclusion of his round, he commented on how, “I had a slow start today, I made a birdie on my 2^nd hole of the day to get to -5 and then I finally made a long eagle putt on hole 17, my 6^thhole of the day to get things going.” Manica added: “I putted well both days, but today, my tee shots were very solid, which allowed me to have better opportunities inside of having to recover.” Most of the players in the field commented that during the day the wind picks up and swirls so you must be careful, Manica mentioned that “the wind was a big part of today’s round. It’s not the same throughout the day as it swirls so you must be careful.” He concluded by saying how he, “obviously I would like to earn as many points as possible to be in the top 5 and remain there for the season to reach my goal to be on the Challenge Tour. Last year I was close, so this year, that is my priority.”

Italy’s Jacopo Vecchi Fossa who was tied for the lead after round 1 is now in 2^nd place with a two-day total of 10 under-par. He followed his 6 under-par 66 opening round, with a 4 under-par, 68 where he made 5 birdies and 1 bogey. Vecchi Fossa captured multiple wins on the Alps Tour over the years, as well as winning the 2021 Alps Tour Order of Merit title, which allowed him to earn status on the Challenge Tour. He is 29 years old and currently represents Modena Golf & Country Club. After his round, Vecchi Fossa was pleased with the day, “I’m happy about today’s round, it was a good day. I slightly struggled at the beginning to make some birdies but then as the wind picked up a little bit later than yesterday, it was tougher on the back nine I played better and was able to make some birdies.” He found that: “in the morning it’s chillier but there is less wind. During the afternoon, there is more wind, so it could be an advantage or disadvantage.” Looking at his record, Vecchi Fossa has earned multiple top 5 finishes here at Sokhna Golf Club, he commented: “Sokhna Golf Club is a golf course I believe that if you miss it in the correct spots, you are able to recover and make a good score but if you don’t it’s easy to get penalized. I think that having a good knowledge about the course and knowing it well is an advantage.”

France’s Aymeric Laussot followed his 3 under-par opening round with a 6 under-par, 66 today for a two-day total of 9 under-par and be in 3^rd place ahead of tomorrow’s final round. On the front nine he made 1 bogey and 2 birdies. On the back nine he made 5 birdies in 6 holes stretch. Laussot turned professional in May 2023 after he graduated from college. After his round, he commented: “I had a rough start with a 3 putt from 30ft to start my round and I knew it was going to be a tough day as the win picked up and the greens got really firm so thankfully, I trusted the process and things I could control, and it worked well. Tomorrow, there will be more pressure, but I’m playing this week thanks to the Alps Tour and the French Federation, so I want to be present at the moment and not go too far ahead of myself. I will keep doing what I’m doing and I’m thankful for this opportunity.”

Federico Livio from Italy, who represents Golf Club Bergamo l’Albenza, shot a 2 under-par 70 in today’s round for a two-day total of 8 under-par. He finds himself in a two-way tie for 4^th place alongside Manuel Morugan. He made 6 birdies and 4 bogeys in today’s round. Livio turned professional in 2020 and is 25 years old. When he completed his round, Livio was overall satisfied even though “I missed a couple more putts and irons today compared to yesterday, which didn’t allow me to make as many birdies as I made yesterday and, unfortunately, a few more bogeys.” He went on to add that he found, “the conditions were different today as there was more wind and early this morning was much chillier.” Livio also added: “To be honest, I didn’t expect to see the results I’m seeing so early in the season in such a short amount of time. I strongly believe that it’s a result of the work I’ve put in with my coaches and a personal change I’ve experienced.” Looking ahead to the final round, Livio plans on: “continuing my routine of shot by shot, hole by hole and I will see where I stand at the end of the 18^th hole.” 

Spain’s Manuel Morugan, who is in the two-way tie for 4th place alongside Livio, shot a bogey-free 4 under-par,68 for a two-day total of 8 under-par. He is 33 years old, represents RCG Guadalhorces, and won his first title on the Alps Tour at the 2022 Abruzzo Alps Open.

As we are promptly awaiting the first tee shot at the 2024 Ein Bay Open to get the 2024 season underway, we wanted to wish all the players the best of luck for this new and exciting golf season.

Follow along on www.alpstourgolf.com or the official “Alps Tour Golf” app to keep up on all the latest news (available on App Store for iOS devices and Play Store for Android).

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