FORMER college room-mates Victor Perez and Gavin Green are set for a special reunion at Royal Greens Golf and Country club after moving to the top of the leaderboard in the Saudi International.
The pair, who have fond memories of living together at the University of New Mexico, will go head-to-head in the final group in Saturday’s third round, with pacesetter Perez one shot clear of his old college friend.
“I am very pleased the with the second round. I think it was important to keep the hammer down after obviously a 65 in the wind yesterday.
“I think they were definitely the tougher conditions, and it’s one of those days where you hope to stay a couple under.
Perez, who is based in Dundee where his girlfriend is studying, has proved very adept at links golf after his spell living in Scotland.
“I was able to play really well yesterday, and obviously coming out this morning,” said 27-year-old Perez.
“This is the round where you have to try to take as much advantage as you can and put some points on the board.
“Obviously I’m in a very good position for tomorrow,” said the rising star of French golf and the European Tour.
And recalling his time on the New Mexico team, Perez said: “We were roommates in college for four years and we are obviously very close.
“He played very well yesterday and I’m looking forward to playing together. Being on Tour together makes it really easy to catch up.
“He’s a great talent and he has been coming up and a long time so it’s only a matter of time before he breaks through.”
Perez – who claimed the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews back in September, posted his second consecutive round of 65 to move to 10-under par,
Meanwhile Malaysia’s Green carded a round of 67 for a nine-under total at the Royal Greens Golf and Country Club.
Green was looking forward to playing with his old college team-mate.
“Playing with Victor tomorrow, I think it will be fun,” said Green. “It’s just like college days again. We’ve been friends since college and it will be great fun.
“I’m sure we will talk about some stuff. It’s been a couple years. I think played with him probably last year, so it’s been a while. I know he’s been playing really good. Just have fun with him tomorrow.
“I’m excited just to be in the mix. I’ve been there a couple times and just try to put myself in the position a couple more times and see what happens.”
McDowell rolling back the years
FORMER US Open Champion Graeme McDowell, who shared the first round lead with Green, is a shot further back on eight-under.
The 40-year-old, who claimed his sole Major at Pebble Beach 10 years ago, added a round of 68 having been joint leader with Green on six-under, on Thursday.
McDowell said: “It’s always hard to come out right after a good round like I shot yesterday and try and keep the pedal down.
“I felt like I played pretty loose today. It was obviously better conditions this morning.
“I three-putted the 11th – my second hole of the morning – which sort of derailed me a little bit.
“I continued to hit fairways which is key on this golf course. I hit some really quality iron shots.
“I think the back nine in particular is quite difficult on this course,” added McDowell, whose last win on the European Tour came in his successful defence of his French Open title, at Le Paris National, in 2014.
McDowell was not thinking about winning after making a slow start to round two, but is pushing to be in the mix come Sunday.
“It was tough to get going,” GMac added. “A couple of birdies on the front were very pleasing and it was nice to hang in there coming in.
“All in all, very happy the way I hit the ball today and looking forward to being in position going into this weekend.
Defending champion Dustin Johnson signed for a round of 68 and is five shots back in a share of eighth place on five-under.
•For live scoring and to follow the head-to-head between Victor Perez and Gavin Green in the Saudi International, click here.
