Buoyed by an enjoyable dinner and a glass of wine with former England Test batter Allan Lamb, Australia's world No.931 golfer Matias Sanchez has enjoyed a spectacular day at the famed Links Championship at St Andrews.
The 72-year-old Lamb, twice a winner of series against Australia, had teamed up in an Ashes alliance with the Melbourne golfing journeyman at the celebrated three-course, pro-am event in Scotland, only for the pair to suffer a disappointing opening day at Kingsbarns as Sanchez shot a level-par 72.
"We weren't so good on Thursday but probably after a very successful wine dinner last night, we were much improved today," beamed Lamb, after watching his 28-year-old Australian playing partner enjoy one of his best ever rounds, a flawless seven-under par 65 on the Old Course, the home of golf.
"My Australian guy Matias was fantastic, really played well. He was hitting the ball miles, he was brilliant," beamed Lamb.
"I told him he might not get back to Australia if he didn't improve and I think he's gone and shot seven-under today, and we've moved to 16 under together in the team event, so we've done all right."
Still, Sanchez wasn't the frontrunner among the 20-strong Australian contingent, remaining a shot behind 23-year-old Declan O'Donovan, the promising rookie from Sydney who's already got an Australasian tour win under his belt from the Players Series event in his home city.
O'Donovan, also fresh from a win on the developmental Clutch Tour in Europe, shot a 67 at Kingsbarns to lie on eight-under, tied for ninth, but only three shots off the leader, South African Casey Jarvis, whose 67 at the same course has put him in line for a third European tour title of the year.
O'Donovan is also in contention in the team event, just a shot off the lead at 20-under at halfway, playing alongside Brett Desmond, the son of Irish billionaire Dermot Desmond, the main shareholder in Scottish soccer giants Celtic.
Jack Buchanan, the Australian co-leader after his first-round 65 at Kingsbarns, had a quieter day with his second-round 72 at Carnoustie, but was still well-placed at seven-under, one clear of Lucas Herbert, who began to make a move with a 67 at Kingsbarns.
Cam Smith shot a 68 at the same course to move to four under overall before getting set to return to the scene of his 2022 Open Championship glory at St Andrews in Saturday's third round.
The big names are still well-placed, with Scotland's defending champion Robert MacIntyre shooting a 65 at Kingsbarns to get within three shots alongside Brooks Koepka (67), while Tommy Fleetwood (68) and Matt Fitzpatrick (70) are six under.
