Qatar Masters Champion Paul Lawrie and extrovert Swede Jarmo Sandelin both shot second successive rounds of 66 to share the second round lead at 12-under-par at the Peugeot Open de Espana.
Lawrie rolled in nine birdies at the Real Club de Golf ‘El Prat’ on his way to a six under par round while Sandelin birdied the first four holes on his way to an unblemished 66. Among Sandelin’s opening barrage was a chip-in and now the 31-year-old has his sights on a Ryder Cup place.
"Ryder Cup has to be my target, it should be everyone’s,” he said. “If I keep playing like this I have a chance.”
The pair lead by one from England’s Jamie Spence, who followed his opening 65 with a 68, despite two bogeys in the last three holes, while Ireland’s Paul McGinley lies a further two shots adrift alongside Juan Carlos Aguero. The Spaniard, who was one of five players to lead after the first round, picked up five birdies and three bogeys for a round of 70.
Another Spaniard Alvaro Salto equalled the course record of 63, nine under par, for a 36 hole total of 136, eight under.
Among those who survived the 36-hole cut of two under par was Sergio Garcia, the 19-year-old who is making his professional debut. Garcia shot a 73 for a halfway total of 140, four under par.
