On Friday at the famed Wentworth Club, Matthew Baldwin produced a 6-under 66 and will enter the weekend with a two-shot lead over Niklas Norgaard at the BMW PGA Championship.
Baldwin, the overnight leader, finished his second day in Surrey with just one bogey – his only dropped shot in 36 holes – against seven birdies, highlighted by five early gains in a six-hole span (Nos. 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8) and then two more on Nos. 15 and 17 to reach 13 under.
“Yeah, incredibly pleased. Incredibly proud of how I’ve played so far,” said Baldwin, who owns one win on the DP World Tour. “There’s a long way to go. Keep doing the same things, should be a good week.”
When asked what seems to be “clicking” this week, the 38-year-old journeyman said, “Just playing sensible golf, really, I guess. I’m trying not to hit it too close, which obviously then forces you, sometimes you can get short-sided and things like that.
“So, I’ve been putting really well, which has kept momentum going and it’s worked out all right.”
Norgaard (67), who won his maiden title three weeks ago at the British Masters, signed for a one-bogey scorecard, highlighted by four birdies and an eagle to reach 11-under par.
“Very similar. It’s been the same kind of recipe,” said Norgaard, when asked to compare his opening-round of 66 with today’s 67.
“I’ve been fortunate to have a very good driver this week, and yeah, the course can be tricky if you’re not straight, and I have been.
“So, setting up opportunities for birdie and converting a few of them.”
Antoine Rozner shot a low-round 65 to move into solo third on 10 under par, one clear of Rory McIlroy (68), who birdied 16 and 18 to reach 9 under. Matteo Manassero also produced a 68 to join McIlroy in the four spot.
“It’s been good. I think it’s been solid,” said McIlroy when asked to sum up his opening rounds at Wentworth.
“I think 9-under is probably a fair reflection of how I’ve played over the first couple days. You know, when I’ve missed some greens, my short game has been pretty good and I got up-and-down. A couple key saves on 14 and 17 coming in, and then birdies at 16 and 18 were nice, as well.
“So yeah, overall, pretty pleased with where I’m at on the leaderboard. There’s a couple of scrappy things in there that I’m industrial trying to sort of iron out of the game but overall, pretty happy with where I’m at.”
Billy Horschel, the winner here in 2022, was one further back on 8 under following a second-round 69.
BMW PGA Championship
Top 10: Halftime Leaderboard
Pos-Player-Score (Rd2 Score)
1. Matthew Baldwin -13 (-6)
2. Niklas Norgaard -11 (-5)
3. Antoine Rozner -10 (-7)
4. Rory McIlroy -9 (-4)
4. Matteo Manassero -9 (-4)
6. Billy Horschel -8 (-3)
7. Yannik Paul -7 (-6)
7. Oliver Wilson -7 (-5)
7. Aaron Cockerill -7 (-5)
7. Harry Hall -7 (-4)
7. Tommy Fleetwood -7 (-4)
7. Robert MacIntyre -7 (-2)
