Canada Alone in Second At World Cup Qualifier

Submitted by European Tour And Canadian Tour

The Welsh team of Stephen Dodd and Jamie Donaldson had trailed Canada by one shot overnight but their six under par 66 in the challenging Foursomes format takes them to 12 under par, two clear of the Canadian duo of Graham DeLaet of Weybourne, Sask and Victoria, BC's Stuart Anderson, with Finland a further stroke back.

The Foursomes format proved difficult for most teams with only nine nations shooting under par on a still but very cold day.

The Finnish team of Toni Karjalainen and Juha-Pekka Peltomaki were a notable exception, shooting an impressive 68 to claim third place on their own having started the day in a tie for third with three other teams including host Estonia.

"We played nicely today," said Dodd. "We kept the ball in play and did all the right things out there."

The Welsh duo made six birdies and has now played 36 holes without dropping a shot.

"It was a much better day for me today," continued Dodd. "Jamie continued to do what he does best, hitting some great iron shots, and we kept the ball in play.

"We missed the fairway on the 18th which made it difficult for ourselves but fortunately Jamie sank a crucial putt for par."

DeLaet, now a resident of Boise, Idaho and his partner Anderson, a native of Calgary and who grew up in Fort McMurray, had a solid day on the Estonian Golf and Country Club's Sea Course.

"We both played really well today," said DeLaet. "We hit every green in regulation which is something you strive to do in the alternate shot format. We only missed two fairways today and even then, we were in the second cut.

"Our only bogey came from a three putt when I missed a two-footer for par on 14," sazid thed long-hitting DeLaet.

Meanwhile, Anderson reflected on the unique nature of Foursomes golf, commenting: "It's an added pressure to perform with the Foursomes format. It's a very different animal.

"It's fun to play," added he Vancouver Island resident. "You get involved in reading each other's putts and figuring out the yardages together so you feel much more like a team."