Gresswell hits top gear at Foxhills

A turbo-charged performance which would have done nearby Formula One giants McLaren proud, saw Phil Gresswell accelerate into pole position after two rounds of the Senior PGA Professional Championship at Foxhills in Surrey.

The German-based pro carded eight birdies in a four-under-par round of 69 over the Bernard Hunt course as a long winter spent honing his putting paid dividends.

And while a four putt for a double bogey on the par 5 seventh blotted his scorecard, Gresswell was delighted with his form which has seen him sink 13 birdies in 36 holes to sit at five under for the £38,000 tournament.

Overnight leader Gary Marks (World of Golf), playing the tougher scoring Longcross course, slipped back to level par after a 75 leaving Downfield pro Kenny Hutton as Gresswell’s  nearest challenger three shots back with Newbury Golf Centre’s John Hoskison and Remedy Oak’s Gary Emerson a stroke further behind.

Saunton’s Albert MacKenzie is alongside Marks and Frank Kiddie (Barlaston) at level par for the 54-hole event.

“Eight birdies is a good knock. It could have been better but I’m happy with that,” said Gresswell.

“On the double bogey, I almost holed a six footer and it was a tap in but it was a fast green. It was only two feet but I missed it and was left with six foot coming back and missed it so it was a silly four putt.”

Originally from Leeds where he trained under ex-PGA captain Parnell Reilly at Otley Golf Club, Gresswell is a teaching pro at the International Golf Club Bonn where the owner and staff have been eagerly following his exploits.

“I’ve been in Germany for 18 years and the last 15 at Bonn. It is a beautiful city and the club is only 15 minutes from the centre,” he added.

“I’ve had text messages of support from the owner and staff, they are very flexible with me and like to see me compete.

“I managed to qualify for the British Senior Open last year and made all four rounds which was a nice start to being 50 and I’m trying to play as much as I can.”

After so many years in Europe, Gresswell is fluent in German and after just two days at Foxhills has already mastered its slick greens leaving him in confident mood ahead of the final round.

“I’ll just keep pulling the trigger tomorrow, I don’t really feel I’ve done a lot wrong, he added.

“If the putter keeps behaving like it has the past couple of days, which I’ve been working hard on over the winter, I’ll feel pretty confident that I’m not going to slip away too much.”

Hutton (below) traded three birdies for a double bogey and a bogey but remains well-placed to mount an assault on the prestigious title.

“I started off a bit ropey and got a double after losing a ball at the second. I then bogeyed the par 5 fifth but it’s just so penal if you’re off line, I played well to get bogey,” he said.

“After that I just dug in there and hit a lot of good shots and gave myself chances.

“I set out to make the top 20 but the goal is higher now. There are a lot of birdies out there but you can’t get too greedy.

“It’s not playing the longest so a bit of strategy off the tee and keeping it in play will be key.

“This is a massive event, I’ve just turned 50 in November and not started the season particularly well in Scotland but I did feel I was hitting the ball better coming into this so was quietly confident. But golf is a funny game and can bite you back but it would mean so much to get your name on this trophy. It’s a great venue too, a past European Tour venue so the course does ask questions and it would be nice to perform well.”

Elsewhere Stephen McNally was cruising along at five under going into the final three holes of his round on the Bernard Hunt course when a triple and double bogey derailed his charge.