Scott Hend fired a sensational second-round 63 to take a three-shot lead at the European Legends Cup, hosted by José María Olazábal, eagling three of the four par-fives to reach -11 for the tournament ahead of Sunday’s final round. The Australian will be looking to secure a second Legends Tour win of the season, after claiming victory at the Barbados Legends hosted by Ian Woosnam, and further cement his position at the top of the Order of Merit.
Brazil’s Adilson da Silva – who won this event last year on his way to winning the 2024 Order of Merit – surged through the field with an equally impressive 66 to move to -8. Stephen Gallacher played his way into the final three-ball with a 69 that took him to -7.
James Kingston and Mikael Lundberg – who has finished in the top-five in the last three Legends Tour events – are both a shot further back on six-under, ahead of a group at -5 that includes Phillip Archer, Maarten Lafeber, Stephen Leaney and Matthew Cort.
Hend’s round got off to a slow start and he was only level-par after seven holes, but was nine-under for the next 10 holes as he found top gear. Having eagled the 5th on day one, Hend completed the set on day two with remarkable threes at the 8th, 13th and 17th. A classy sand-save from the greenside bunker at 18 capped the lowest round ever recorded at the course designed by Olazábal himself.
Having bogeyed the 7th, 10th, 11th and 16th in round one, Hend was keen to make amends on what is a difficult stretch of holes at this challenging 6,974-yard layout. “I was extremely disappointed in myself through that stretch yesterday, so I wanted to improve on that and I focused a bit more today. It was much better today than yesterday. I’m just trying to make stress-free pars on every hole and if a three comes to me then great. Three eagles is a real bonus.
With one win under his belt already this season and a three-shot lead, Hend is happy to be out in front, but all too aware of the challenge posed by his playing partners in the final round. “I’ve got a good chance of winning this now,” Hend said. “But there’s a lot of good players behind me. Stevie Gallacher played great yesterday and he might come out exactly the same. I can’t control what he does, I can just control me.”
Gallacher is the only player to have posted two sub-70 rounds at Basozábal. Much like day one, when he made six birdies on the front nine, the former Ryder Cup player did the damage early on again in round two – making four birdies by the ninth to reach -7. Frustratingly, though, he again failed to make a single birdie on the back nine and despite his superb ball striking was left to rue his putting.
“I’ve played great tee-to-green all week but I just can’t seem to make much,” said Gallacher, who is seeking a maiden Legends Tour win in his first season. “It’s a bit frustrating but I just have to keep hitting good shots as I have done the last two days and giving myself opportunities. I’m very pleased with where I am in the tournament and how I’ve played so far. I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”
If they are to win, both Hend and Gallacher will have to hold off a resurgent Adilson da Silva, who in recent weeks has rediscovered the form that saw him win three times last season. The Brazilian has finished in the top-10 in his last four Legends Tour tournaments, having found the putting touch that had deserted him earlier in the season. He sits at -8, three shots behind Hend.
“I played quite nicely today,” da Silva said.
“My putting was good in places and when I missed greens I managed to chip and putt well which makes a big difference. Overall, I am happy because I am thinking a bit better than I have been. Tomorrow I just have to keep working hard, try to hit one shot at a time and stay in the present.”
Tournament host José María Olazábal put on a show for fans – and his watching parents – at his home course, carding a gritty round of 68 to sit comfortably inside the top-30. But as tournament host, the Spaniard has been more concerned about the success of the event itself.
“I put in a good score today and I’m happy about that,” said the former Masters champion. “But I’m really pleased to see so many people out here watching. Everyone connected with the event and all the members here at the club are extremely happy that we have an event of this calibre being held on our golf course. They’re all excited and they received us with open arms. And that’s the most important thing. It’s really lovely to have my parents and my family here watching. They don’t travel much and haven’t watched me at a tournament since I won the Masters so it means a lot.”
The final round tees off at 08:00 local time with the leaders going off at 10:00. Entry is again free to all spectators.
