Que makes it safely into weekend rounds of Euro Masters

Angelo Que focused on hitting more greens in regulation to shoot a two-under-par 69 and make it safely into the weekend rounds of the $2.8M Omega European Masters now led by Spaniard Miguel Angel Jiménez at the Crans-sur-Sierre in Crans Montana, Switzerland. Unlike in the first day when he kept missing, the 31-year-old star from Manila hit on about 13 to 14 greens that translated to three birdies—two on the front side—and only one bogey for a two-day total of 139, 11 off from Jiménez's 128 after a scintillating 10-under 61. "It was a different story today, an easier round I should say. I am getting onto the greens with precision and making two putts consistent. I’m happy with my round and happier to shoot under par," said Que, who is aiming to improve on his seventh finish last year. His short game, meaning those shots within the 100-150-yard range, clicked but his driving and putting were a little off. Still, he made sure he would make the halfway cut and play a different style in the third round of the European and Asian Tour co-sanctioned event. "On this course, if you start hitting it good, you can keep going low. The guys behind us, every time I looked back, they were straight at the hole. It's one of those courses if you start hitting it good, you'll make birdies and eagles," said the former Philippine Open champion. "I need to hone up what my swing coach (Bong Lopez) taught me a few months back which really got my driving back into the groove." Que, when he teed off, noticed that the greens were a bit bumpy in the afternoon and that made it hard to make putts. Overall, he was alright, he said. In fact, he jumped 11 notches in the standing from 53rd to a share of 42nd. "A lot of putts today, all of us, we were missing the lip as we were hitting little spike marks," he quipped. Jiménez produced the lowest round of his 27-year European Tour career in Switzerland. Two eagles and six birdies gave the 46-year-old Ryder Cup star with a three-stroke lead heading into the third day. The veteran Spaniard, who is making his 22nd straight visit to the Alpine resort, had a chance of The European Tour's first-ever 59 when he reached the 16th tee needing two more birdies. But Jiménez, who has had 10 of his 17 victories on the circuit since turning 40, had to be content with parring all three remaining holes for a 14-under midway total of 128. Italian Edoardo Molinari, the only other member of his side playing in the event, lies in joint second with compatriot Matteo Manassero. Molinari, handed a wild card after his win in the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles last Sunday, added a 65 to his opening 66. First round leader Manassero, 17, trying to become The European Tour's youngest-ever winner in only his sixth event as a professional, chipped in for eagle at the long 15th in his 67. – JVP, Adrian Flores, GMANews.TV