Paul Lawrie moves into outright lead in Portugal in search of first win since 2022

The 1999 Open champion, who started the day tied for top spot with compatriot Scott Drummond and South African Jean Hugo, carded a second-round 67 at Pinheirinho on Saturday.

Sitting on 11 under par, Lawrie, who has his Michael, his youngest son, caddying for him, leads Hugo and Swede Johan Edfors, a former Genesis Scottish Open champion, by a shot heading into the closing circuit.

“I probably played better today, tee to green,” said Lawrie of his bogey-free second-day salvo. “The ball striking was good and it’s two good scores for 11-under.

“Golfers are strange people. You feel it’s a good score, but you still feel it should be better. It’s a good score but I left a few out there.It’s good to feel like that. You shouldn’t feel you got everything you wanted. It makes sure you go out tomorrow hungry to get those back.”

The 57-year-old has only played seven events on the over-50s’ circuit this season and sits 52nd on the Order of Merit. He still works hard on his game, though, and a tip from Sean Lawrie, his nephew, has led to lots of putts hitting the target so far this week.

“He spotted that it was a little wristy,” said Lawrie. “I need to use my body more and my wrists less. The ball was also too far forward, so I’ve been working on that, too.

“It’s only been a couple of weeks, so it’s difficult to put into practice. It’s been a lot better and although it wasn’t great today, you expect that when you’re making changes. You’ll have good days and days when it doesn’t feel as comfortable, but, overall, it’s good.”

Hugo and Edfors are both winners on the circuit this season, as is Mikael Lundberg, who sits two shots behind the Aberdonian along with former BMW PGA champion Simon Khan and Keith Horne.

“Nothing changes, really,” insisted Lawrie of his task on Sunday. “You’re back to square one, back to level. You’re trying to shoot as many birdies as you can, play the course properly and not be silly, and not take on things you don’t need to.

“I’ve kept the ball in play really well the first two days. If I can keep doing what I’m doing, hopefully I can post a number that’s good enough.”

Stephen Gallacher, who tops the Order of Merit, is tied for ninth on six under, with Drummond slipping to joint-17th on four under after following his opening 66 with a 74.

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