Bourdy shoots 67 to extend lead to 4 strokes at Lyoness Open

ATZENBRUGG, Austria (AP) – Gregory Bourdy widened his lead at the Lyoness Open Friday by shooting a 5-under 67 to go four strokes clear of fellow Frenchman Gary Stal and Chris Wood of England.

Bourdy, seeking his fifth European Tour title, followed up his 65 from Thursday with five birdies on his front nine before dropping his first stroke of the week. He’s at 12-under 132 at the midway stage.

Stal carded five birdies on his way to a 68, while Woods had two bogeys on the front nine to go with five birdies for a 69.

Spanish pair Carlos Pigem and Rafa Cabrera-Bello shared fourth, another stroke off the lead.

Former champion Bernd Wiesberger, at No. 37 the highest-ranked player in the field, shot a 67 but missed the cut following his 79 from the first day.

Last year’s winner Mikael Lundberg of Sweden shot a 70 to trail leader Bourdy by 10 strokes.

Earlier Friday, Andrey Pavlov needed 17 strokes on a single hole in excellent weather conditions, tying for the second worse score on the European Tour.

On the par-5 first, the 28-year-old Russian found the water on six attempts. The Diamond Country Club course is known for its many water hazards.

Chris Gane also scored a 17 at Gleneagles 12 years ago, still three strokes less than Philippe Porquier’s record of 20 at the French Open in 1978.

After entering the event on invitation, the 1,598th-ranked Pavlov opened with a 71 and looked set to make his first cut on the European Tour before finishing at 17 over.