Super start helps Florioli forge ahead

Massimo Florioli stepped up his bid to become the third Italian in four years to win the North West of Ireland Open this morning.

Florioli was one of only five players to break par in yesterday’s first round as winds gusting up to 40mph buffeted the Ballyliffin course.

A one-under-par 71 was enough for a share of the lead with compatriot Costantino Rocca, Swede Anders Forsbrand, Denmark’s Allan Hogh and Spain’s Jesus Maria Arruti, with only four more players managing to match the par of 72.

And two birdies in his first three holes today took the 30-year-old into the lead at three under par midway through his second round, two ahead of Rocca.

Rocca, who was among the afternoon starters, won the first North West of Ireland event in Galway three years ago, his fifth and last European Tour title.

Compatriot Massimo Scarpa then followed in the former Ryder Cup star’s footsteps the following year at Slieve Russell in County Cavan before Germany’s Tobias Dier broke the Italian stranglehold last year.

The wind was nowhere near as strong as yesterday but only two players, Florioli and Rocca, were under par on the testing links bordered by the Atlantic Ocean.

Scotland’s Graham Fox had gone to the turn in just 30 strokes and then picked up another birdie on the 11th, but that was only good enough to get him back to three over par after an 81 yesterday.

Pre-tournament favourites Andrew Coltart and Andrew Oldcorn were also among the later starters alongside Rocca, and both were still in with a chance of winning first prize after rounds of 76 and 77 respectively yesterday.