Des Smyth completed round two of the OKI Castellón Senior Tour Championship with a 69 and posted a score of 2 under for a share of 17th place - seven shots off the pace.
Chris Williams ensured the 2010 European Senior Tour season will go right to the wire after a five under par 67 gave him a share of the lead with former Ryder Cup Captain Sam Torrance going into the final round of the OKI Castellón Senior Tour Championship.
Chris Williams ensured the 2010 European Senior Tour season will go right to the wire after a five under par 67 gave him a share of the lead with former Ryder Cup Captain Sam Torrance going into the final round of the OKI Castellón Senior Tour Championship.
Williams, who is currently €39,259 behind Thailand’s Boonchu Ruangkit in the Order of Merit, set up a fascinating final day of the season on Sunday by carding four birdies in the last seven holes of his second round at Club de Campo del Mediterráneo.
The South African needs to either win or finish second and hope that Ruangkit is worse than 28th if he is to capture the John Jacobs Trophy, given to the leading Senior Tour player.
He kept his chances of achieving that very much alive with a flawless back nine to move to nine under par for the tournament, level with Torrance who fired a superb course record equalling 63 in Spain.
With Ruangkit eight shots back in a share of 24th place following a 71, the Order of Merit battle looks destined to be just as close as last year when – coincidentally – it was Torrance who came from behind to edge out Ian Woosnam by just €3,380.
“Ultimately the whole season is now coming down to this one round,” said the Williams. “There is going to be a lot of pressure and it would be accurate to say that I’m aware of that when I’m out there.
“If you weren’t too bothered about winning the Order of Merit there wouldn’t be but this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me. Whatever happens it will be the finest year of my life but I’d love to do it.
“If I allow the pressure to become too much it will ruin my game so the idea is just to relish the moment and be careful I do not become over anxious. I really need to separate what is going on tomorrow and ignore the thoughts of awards and just focus on shooting a good score.
“I’m playing with Sam who knows all about this from last year but I’m sure he will be going all out to win for himself.”
Williams might ultimately look back on the tough par three 12th hole - the only one Torrance dropped a shot on - as a pivotal one in his season.
“I really turned my round around with that birdie on the 12th,” he said. “Nothing had really happened for me until that point. It’s a difficult hole but my approach shot was superb and that gave me confidence.”
If Williams is to capture his maiden Senior Tour title – and the John Jacobs Trophy – he will have to overcome a formidable competitor in Torrance, the reigning Order of Merit winner.
Torrance has a marvellous record around Club de Campo del Mediterráneo, winning the OKI Castellón Senior Tour Championship in 2008 and finishing third last year to seal the Order of Merit.
The 2002 Ryder Cup Captain posted ten birdies and just the single bogey on the 12th hole as he produced his lowest round of 2010 by two strokes.
Torrance is keen to maintain his sequence of winning in each of his full terms on the Senior Tour since 2004 and said he had given himself every chance of prolonging that run and capturing his 12th title overall.
“I played magnificently today – the best I have for a long time,” said the Scot. “It really doesn’t get any better than it was out there. I played beautifully all day and only hit one bad shot.
“My all round game was superb and I don’t think I could have shot a better score. It would mean a lot to me to win again and keep the run going – I did it two years ago and I’ve given myself every chance of doing it again.
“There is something special about this place for me. I love the people, the food, the course and I’m great friends with the Garcia’s so I love coming here.”
Torrance and Williams are one shot clear of Englishman Nick Job, who carded a superb 64 to move to eight under par. Australian David Merriman and Spaniard José Rivero, the overnight leader, are a further shot back after rounds of 66 and 71 respectively.
Denis O’Sullivan signed for a 73 to finish level par.
