VIRGINIA WATER, England — Three weeks ago, Matthew Baldwin was laughing at himself for hitting a drive so hard that the ball went between his legs and just 1 spot short of the tee markers.
On Friday, the 363rd-ranked Englishman took a two-stroke lead into the second round at the European Tour’s premier event and is preparing for the biggest weekend of his career.
Baldwin, 38, shot a 6-under 66 to storm into the BMW PGA Championship at 13-under, tying the prestigious tournament’s 36-hole record. Most of Europe’s top players – including Rory McIlroy, who shot 68 four times to lead them – had a hard time getting close to him.
Quite the story, since Baldwin has gone through the proper tour school six times in a tumultuous career, just two years ago, saw him play on the Challenge Tour — the level below the European tour — and was ranked just above. 850 in the world. He was back on the road last year when he won his only title, the SDC Championship in South Africa.
This year has been a challenge at times, missing four straight between June and July before finding a species. There was a tie for 12th at the Czech Masters in August and then a tie for 18th at the British Masters at The Belfry, where he had that embarrassing incident off the tee.
Asked what he has learned from all the hard times, Baldwin said: “I think there are things that are more important in life.
“At the end of the day, we’re all here trying our best. Sometimes, my fitness wasn’t enough. Now I’m in a good place, mentally and physically, and I’m enjoying what I’m doing.”
Baldwin built on his overnight one-shot lead, following a first-round 65, by making seven birdies — including five of the six holes from No. 3 — to go along with the dropped gun on No. 11. That’s his end. bogey so far.
“Playing smart golf, really,” Baldwin said of his strategy on the West Course. “I try not to take it too close, obviously it forces you — sometimes you get the short side and things like that.
“I was putting really well, which kept the momentum going.”
Denmark’s Niklas Norgaard, who won the British Masters this month, became Baldwin’s closest challenger after the 67 left him at 11 under.
France’s Antoine Rozner, ranked 199th, moved ahead after birdieing each of the last five holes to complete a bogey-free 65.
“To be very honest with you, I’ve been struggling a little bit with my game,” Rozner said, “so this kind of round today was really good.”
No. 3-ranked McIlroy hit the 220-yard par-5 18th to 15 feet but couldn’t convert an eagle putt in front of a noisy gallery in the fading light. A birdie moved him into fourth place with 2013 champion Matteo Manassero (68) at 9 under overall, leaving McIlroy in a strong position to win the event for the second time, and in 2014, with no one in the top four. in the top 100 in the world.
“I feel good. If I look at the leaderboard, the top guys played very well in the first few days,” said McIlroy, adding: “Maybe they don’t have a lot of experience in that situation.”
Billy Horschel, the 2021 champion from the United States, shot a 69 and was five strokes behind Baldwin in sixth place. European Ryder Cup players Tommy Fleetwood (68) and Robert MacIntyre (70) were also shot.
Defending champion Ryan Fox birdied two straight holes — saving a bogey on No. 15 and eagle 2 on No. 16 — shot 70 and reached 3 under par.
There was a delay of nearly 80 minutes during lunch due to thunderstorms and lightning.
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