Otto remains the man to catch

Pre-tournament favourite Hennie Otto moved a step closer to victory in the BMG Classic with a second round 68 at Glendower Golf Club for a leading 11 under par total.

“I’ve been working on the mental areas and it’s improving as the season goes along,” said Otto, who finished in the top 12 on his last three European Tour starts. “You try to relax and find the groove, and then repeat the things that you do well.

“We’ve been playing from the front tees for the last two days, and if the putter works then you can score.”

The 37 year old started on the tenth and played sharp golf over his first nine holes, reaching the turn four under for the day.

A double bogey seven at the second proved a temporary setback as a birdie two at the next and further birdies at the sixth and eighth took him one stroke clear of second-placed Ulrich van den Berg.

“I made some silly mistakes today,” said Otto, who shot 65 on Friday and shared the overnight lead.

“My head went off on the second, but I played well after that. Every week there is a hole or two that gives me nightmares.”