The Omega European Masters, a tournament that always throws more curveballs than a toddler at a birthday party, has a familiar face grinning from the top. Thriston Lawrence, a chap who looks as relaxed on the Crans-sur-Sierre fairways as I do on my sofa with a pint, has once again painted himself into the winner's circle picture. He's not just after another trophy, mind you. He's gunning for legend status, hoping to pull off a Seve Ballesteros-esque three-peat.
Lawrence’s second round was a masterclass in keeping it together. He birdied six holes, then pulled off a rather neat little par save from a bunker that looked suspiciously like a sand trap designed by a sadist. He shot a 63, which, frankly, at this altitude and with this much pressure, is less a score and more a love poem to the game. He's got a two-shot lead, proving some blokes, like a good cheese, just get better the higher they go and the more they do it.
Meanwhile, England’s Harry Hall had a bit of a wobble. After a front nine that had him looking like he might actually invent a new way to shoot 58, a hip injury – that most unwelcome of golfing travel companions – decided to crash the party. He limped through the back nine, a brutal reminder that even when you’re flying, your own plumbing can decide to stage a revolt. It’s a cruel twist of the golf gods, turning a potential triumph into a masterclass in gritting your teeth.
Not too far behind our leader is Paul Casey, also of England. Casey’s presence on a leaderboard is as predictable as a bad pun from me after a few too many. He’s four shots back, which is close enough to smell victory but far enough to induce some serious head-scratching over those missed putts.
Others are making a decent go of it. Jeremy Paul and Ignacio Elvira both fired a 62, proving some golfers have a better knack for this Swiss playground than others. Keita Nakajima is also lurking, adding that usual international spice to this rather posh tournament.
Lawrence, hoping for his first top-10 finish since March, claims he’s in a better headspace. I suppose seeing your name at the top, and maybe remembering you’ve won here before, does wonders for the old ticker. He finds comfort in returning to a place that’s been good to him, proof that familiarity, at least on the fairways, breeds birdies, not boredom.
As the weekend unfolds, the big question is whether Lawrence can keep his cool. The ghosts of golf past, especially the ones in flamboyant trousers, are definitely watching.