VIRGINIA WATER – Matthew Baldwin’s journey at the BMW PGA Championship is a tale of redemption and perseverance. Just three weeks ago, he had a mishit so embarrassing that it left him chuckling at his own misfortune. Fast forward to Friday, and the 38-year-old Englishman found himself leading the flagship event on the European tour by two strokes, setting the pace with a second-round 66 at 13 under.
Baldwin, ranked No. 363, has had a turbulent career, going through the tour’s qualifying school six times. Just two years ago, he was playing on the Challenge Tour, ranked well outside the top 800 in the world. However, he clawed his way back to the main tour, earning his only pro win last year at the SDC Championship in South Africa.
This year has had its challenges for Baldwin, with a string of missed cuts before finding some form recently. Despite the setbacks, Baldwin remained resilient and focused on his game.
Baldwin’s strategy has been simple yet effective – playing sensible golf and maintaining his momentum on the course. His solid putting has been key to his success so far.
Other top players like Niklas Norgaard and Antoine Rozner are hot on his heels, but Baldwin’s newfound mental and physical strength have put him in a prime position to achieve his biggest career milestone.
As the tournament unfolds, Baldwin will look to maintain his lead and solidify his position among the golfing elite. It’s a remarkable turnaround for a player who was once ranked outside the top 800 in the world.
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