Argentina’s Ricardo Gonzalez has moved one shot clear after the second round of the Johnnie Walker Championship, as he vies for a fifth European Tour title.
On the Centenary Course, which will host next year’s Ryder Cup, Gonzalez birdied his last five holes to card a second consecutive round of 65 and take the lead over Austria’s Bernd Wiesberger on Friday.
In-form Australian Brett Rumford, who was one shot off the pace after the opening round, is still in contention five shots back on nine under 135.
Rumford cared three birdies and and eagle on his way to a three under-69 round.
Gonzalez’s last win came in 2009 and after failing to record a single top-10 finish this season he currently lies 109th on the Race to Dubai, with only the top 115 at the end of the year retaining their playing privileges for 2014.
But the 43-year-old former caddie’s mind has understandably been elsewhere after his mother, father and father-in-law all passed away in the space of the last two years.
“The last two years have been very difficult personally,” Gonzalez said. “If I win I would like to dedicate it to my mother and father, that’s my target this week.”
Gonzalez has not played since failing to qualify for the British Open, but he arrived in Scotland refreshed after five weeks back at home in Rosario where he has a farm.
“It’s a very important week for me because I have not played well at the start of the season,” he added. “To shoot two rounds of 65 is amazing.”
“It’s strange because I’m a professional golfer and I need competition, but I’m feeling great after five weeks off. It has made me more relaxed and I think that’s the key to making a good score.”
Wiesberger could not match the brilliant finish of Gonzalez, but still covered the back nine in 31 to add a 66 to his opening 65 and finish 13 under.
The 27-year-old lost in a five-man play-off here two years ago but won twice last season and has already impressed Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley.
“It’s good that I have my name up there and even though qualifying has not started yet, it’s important to play well at the Ryder Cup venue and make a statement that way,” he said.
English duo Mark Foster and Tommy Fleetwood are 11 under after rounds of 67 and 65 respectively.