Ryder Cup wild cards Lee Westwood and Stephen Gallacher experienced differing results but similar emotions after the second round of the ISPS Handa Wales Open at Celtic Manor.
While Gallacher headed home in relaxed mood despite seeing his preparations cut short by missing the halfway cut, Westwood was equally happy that a battling performance ensured he would have two more rounds to get his game into shape for Gleneagles.
Westwood had not played competitively since bowing out of the FedEx Cup Playoffs after the first event, but recovered from an opening 73 with a 69 which featured two crucial birdies in the last four holes.
“I needed a couple more rounds,” Westwood said. “I was not particularly competitive yesterday, it was pretty scratchy, but today was more solid. A few iffy shots but it was nice to finish with two birdies in the last four holes to ensure being here for the weekend and two more competitive rounds.
“I have been working on my game and been in the gym quite a lot, but I’m not quite match fit. I had three weeks off and you lose sharpness.”
Gallacher had also not played competitively since coming agonisingly close to sealing an automatic place before being named as one of Paul McGinley’s three wild cards.
The rust showed as he struggled to an opening 78 on Thursday, and a second round of 70 was not enough to avoid an early exit.
“Yesterday was quite tough,” Gallacher admitted after a round containing two birdies – both on par fives – and one bogey. “It was tough to get going and get my head around it but today was a lot better. I was maybe trying a wee bit too hard yesterday and still thinking about next week.
“Today I got into my routines better and stuck to that. Nothing could get into my head apart from that. It was back to normal and if I holed a few putts I would have shot four or five under. It was good to shoot one under from a personal point of view.
“I feel good, I’m physically and mentally good so I am really looking forward to next week.”
Team-mate Thomas Bjorn, who played alongside Gallacher, added a 69 to his opening 71 to lie two under par, with Jamie Donaldson carding an impressive 67 to finish five-under, four behind halfway leader Shane Lowry.
Lowry carded a flawless 65 to claim a one-shot lead over Nicolas Colsaerts and Joost Luiten, with former champion Thongchai Jaidee and Italy’s Edoardo Molinari another shot back.
