A solid and patient Otaegui, co-leader of Estrella Damm in Sotogrande

Adrian Otaegui This Friday he knows how to be very patient in not easy Royal Sotogrande Golf Club (Cádiz) and in a return again without errors, this time of 69 strokes (three birdies and all pars) became co-leader of Estrella Dam Andalucía Masters next to the south african said Jaeger and the french i. Otaegui, let’s remember, is the defending champion, which was achieved in 2022 in nearby Valderrama.

Adrián started with a birdie at 1 (he left it ‘given’) and then had chances to beat the field by more strokes over the next five. On the par-5 6th, he three-putted from distance. This situation undoubtedly slowed him down and reduced his confidence on the greens. But the Gipuzkoan, who has excellent golf control, did not lose his composure or his nerves and continued to find his moment.

Otaegui, after playing 11 perfect holes from tee to green (he just lacked a little accuracy with his putt) had a moment of weakness on the 12th, par 5. From two comfortable fairways about 95 meters from the green , his strategy He ended up in the bunker beards. He played a fourth shot about 3 meters from the hole and this time the putt went in.

The Basque saved a very good par, which must have been very important to him emotionally because if he had left this par 5 with a bogey it would have been a very unfair result, based on what seen in the previous 11 holes.

From there…more pars and the patience that came with his recognition, his reward, with the birdie on the 16th hole after holing a putt of about six meters, and on the 17th, about 3/4 (he even took the Basque . fist). Adrian deserves it.

“I was very pleased with the way I played, especially from tee to green, I didn’t give myself clear birdie opportunities but overall it was a round to be proud of, I went 36 holes without a an error. The birdies on 16 and 17 help me get up there and I hope people come this weekend because I feel comfortable playing here,” Otaegui said in the mixed zone.

Also highlight 68 Nacho Elvira (-4)the second best Spaniard in the classification, five shots behind Otaegui, Jager and Ko, with -9.

For the rest of the Spaniards, they ensured the cut Adri Arnaus, Rafa Cabrera Bello (-3), Jorge Campillo (-2) and Alfredo García Heredia (-1).

The cross of the day went to Borja Virto (even), Pablo Larrazábal (+1), Santi Tarrio (+1), Pep Anglés (+2), Sebastián García Rodríguez (+2), Álvaro Quirós (+2), Ángel Hidalgo (+2), Alejandro del Rey (+4), Carlos Pigem (+8), Jaime Montojo (+11) and Alejandro Cañizares (+20). They were all left in the cut.