Dunbar stalking Pavan

Andrea Pavan. © Getty ImagesAlan Dunbar is lurking behind clubhouse leader Andrea Pavan in the weather delayed Open Blue Green Côtes d’Armor Bretagne.

As the Italian shot a 65 to streak four strokes clear of the chasing pack on 11 under par, Dunbar followed his opening 66 with a three under 67 to share second place with Jamie McLeary (15 holes) on seven under. Scoring
 
It was a long day for Pavan who had to come back early on Friday morning to complete an opening round of 64, but he did not let that affect him, continuing his form into the afternoon’s play to forge a commanding position with some of the field still to finish off round two.
 
“I got off to a good start as the wind was blowing a bit on the front nine,” explained Pavan. “I never really had to putt for a par today, it was all very steady. My back felt better too, but I’m tired, as it has been a long day.
 
“Anyone would have taken double digits under par after two rounds though, as this golf course is very tricky, and if you miss once on the wrong side it gets you and you can make big numbers very easily with the crosswinds. That is the hard part, so you have to judge it, be solid, and trust your numbers.
 
“I’m happy where I am though, I’ve been here before and I know what to do. I can only control what I do over the weekend and we’ll add it up at the end.”
 
Gareth Shaw dropped four shots in his last three holes for a second successive 71 and must now wait to see if two over is good enough to make the cut.

Peter O’Keeffe is four over with six to play and desperate for a hot finish but Mark Murphy will miss out after slipping to six over with just three holes to go.

The Waterville man went out in 41, six over par.

Play will resume in the second round at 8.30am on Saturday morning.