Robin Williams might not be in the halfway lead in the SDC Championship at St Francis Links, but he set the scoring benchmark on Friday in windy conditions with a five-under-par 67 lifting him into a share of second.
Williams went out early in round two, and he made a birdie and a bogey on the front nine to turn in level-par. An eagle, four birdies and a bogey on the homeward nine saw him come home in 31, and he reached eight-under for the tournament.
For a long time, that was enough to hold a share of the lead, until England’s Daniel Brown matched Williams’ 67 to move to 11-under and a three-stroke lead going into the weekend.
“I enjoy this course and I’m getting used to what I need to do to put myself in contention in these events. I’m playing good consistent golf so we’ll see where it puts us,” said Williams.
With Williams in a share of second was Shaun Norris, who had a one-under 71 in his second round. “It wasn’t easy out there and you needed a lot of patience, but it turned out nicely,” said Norris. “The putter is working nicely so let’s see.”
It’s been a tale of two winds through 36 holes and they’ve both blown favourably for Brown as he heads into the weekend in this Sunshine Tour and DP World Tour co-sanctioned event.
With the wind switching completely from the first round, Brown was still able to negotiate his way into the lead on 11 under par with a second round of 67.
It’s been a remarkable performance considering his late arrival to the tournament after missing his flight and going straight into this event without a practice round. “I didn’t expect it. Maybe I should do it more often,” he said of his unusual preparation for this week.
Brown enjoys the St Francis Links layout and finished in the top 10 in this tournament last year, and he’s looking forward to a weekend where he has a shot at a second DP World Tour title. “Matt Baldwin (2023 champion) was miles ahead last year so there was no chance of catching him. I’ve always felt comfortable on this golf course so hopefully that continues into the weekend.”
