In a dazzling display of skill, Oliver Lindell climbed to the summit of the Hainan Open leaderboard with a remarkable five-under-par 67, joining Sweden’s Niklas Lemka and South Africa’s JC Ritchie at the top after the second round at Sanya Luhuitou Golf Club.
Starting the day at seven under par, the 26-year-old Finnish golfer showcased his impressive form, carding one eagle, five birdies, and two bogeys, bringing his total to 12 under par at the close of day two.
Lindell has been on a roll lately, finishing in the top ten in his last five events, including a runner-up finish at the Czech Challenge just a week prior. With his sights set on the DP World Tour, he currently ranks ninth on the Road to Mallorca.
“It’s pretty nice to play good golf after so many years,” Lindell expressed, reflecting on his performance. “I’m really enjoying it. I’ve been really good from tee to green. My putting could have been better today, but I hit some really good shots throughout the day.”
Despite missing several putts that could have lowered his score, Lindell remains optimistic. “I could have gone even lower, but it is what it is. I’m at the top of the leaderboard, and I have a good chance for the week. There’s no pressure now, and I’m just enjoying it all the time.”
On the other hand, JC Ritchie is gearing up for a strong finish as he looks to enhance his position in the Rankings.
Currently sitting in 61st place, the 30-year-old South African is poised to seize his opportunity after a solid second round of 68.
“I’ve been playing decent golf for the last six to seven months,” Ritchie noted. “But I just haven’t really managed to string together good scores.”
Feeling optimistic, Ritchie added, “I felt good the last couple of months, and I’m feeling confident coming into this week. I’ve always played well under pressure, and I have three events to show what I’ve got.”
The excitement continues as the third round is set to commence at 7:10 a.m. local time, with Lindell, Ritchie, and Lemka teeing off together in the final group at 11:09 a.m.
