OLDCORN BACK IN FORM BUT STILL TEN BEHIND LEADER LEHMAN

By STEVE TODD
European Senior Tour Press OfficerAndrew Oldcorn put his recent health problems behind him as he fired the joint lowest round of the day in the MCB Tour Championship to move into a share of ninth position, ten shots behind leader Tom Lehman.
The Scot, pictured, who is third on the European Senior Tour Order of Merit, suffered a dip in form in the second half of the season due to a cataract on his right eye.
After successful surgery in October he returned to action at Constance Belle Mare Plage but struggled with the problem in an opening round 76.
The 51 year old was given eye drops by the tournament doctor to relieve the irritation and he managed to improve on his first round score by nine shots, carding a bogey-free 67.
Oldcorn’s five birdies came in seven holes from the fourth as he moved to one under par for the tournament, level with compatriot Bill Longmuir who signed for a 70.
“That was exactly what I was looking for today” said the 51 year old. “I didn’t feel like I was swinging it well yesterday so it was unexpected but I had a nice rhythm today. It’s been a while since I had a round like that.”
Sam Torrance carded a 73 and is two over par for the tournament in a share of 27th position while Ross Drummond is a shot further back after a 75.
In the battle for the John Jacobs Trophy, Peter Fowler and Barry Lane both produced much improved second round performances to ensure the Order of Merit contest goes right to the wire.
Both players carded round of 68, with Fowler tied for sixth position on three under par and Lane two shots back in a share of ninth with Oldcorn and Longmuir.
Former Open Champion Lehman will take a two shot lead over South African David Frost into the final round after recovering from a scare around the turn. Lehman had gone 26 holes without dropping a shot before back-to-back bogeys on the ninth and tenth holes. The 2006 US Ryder Cup Captain, who is 11 under par, recovered with a hat-trick of birdies to keep ahead of Frost, who won the Mauritius Commercial Bank Open at Constance Belle Mare Plage 12 months ago. Frost carded a 67, dropping his only shot of the day on the ninth.
ALL THE SECOND-ROUND TOTALS
Par 144 (2x72)

133 T Lehman (US) 65 68

135 D Frost (RSA) 68 67

139 G Wolstenholme (Eng) 70 69

140 N Job (Eng) 70 70, J Rivero (Esp) 70 70

141 P Fowler (Aus) 73 68, P Dahlberg (Swe) 69 72

142 A Sherborne (Eng) 70 72

143 B Lane (Eng) 75 68, B Longmuir (Sco) 73 70, A Oldcorn (Sco) 76 67, D Johnson (US) 71 72, J Sallat (Fra) 70 73

144 B Cameron (Eng) 70 74, C Rocca (Ita) 72 72, M Farry (Fra) 73 71, M Cunning (USA) 77 67, D Russell (Eng) 74 70, M Mouland (Wal) 70 74, D Hospital (Esp) 72 72

145 G Banister (Aus) 74 71, G Ryall (Eng) 74 71, T Thelen (US) 72 73, J Quiros (Esp) 75 70, G Manson (Aut) 73 72,

146 G Brand (Eng) 74 72, A Sowa (Arg) 72 74, J Harrison (Eng) 71 75, S Torrance (Sco) 73 73, R Chapman (Eng) 75 71,

147 T Johnstone (Zim) 72 75, R Drummond (Sco) 72 75, M Harwood (Aus) 75 72, S Van Vuuren (RSA) 72 75,

148 A Forsbrand (Swe) 76 72, D Cambridge (Jam) 71 77, B Lincoln (RSA) 75 73, J Bruner (USA) 72 76, D Merriman (Aus) 73 75, C Mason (Eng) 70 78, M Moreno (Esp) 71 77, K Spurgeon (Eng) 75 73,

149 S Cipa (Eng) 73 76,

150 C Williams (RSA) 77 73, M Belsham (Eng) 74 76,

151 S Bennett (Eng) 76 75, B Smit (RSA) 80 71, G Cali (Ita) 74 77, G Ralph (Eng) 77 74,

152 J Stuart (USA) 74 78, D O'Sullivan (Irl) 74 78,

153 J Gould (Eng) 74 79, I Espitalier Noel  (Mus) 76 77,

157 A Franco (Par) 82 75,

133 T Lehman (USA) 65 68,
135 D Frost (RSA) 68 67,
139 G Wolstenholme (Eng) 70 69,
140 N Job (Eng) 70 70, J Rivero (Esp) 70 70,
141 P Fowler (Aus) 73 68, P Dahlberg (Swe) 69 72,
142 A Sherborne (Eng) 70 72,
143 B Lane (Eng) 75 68, B Longmuir (Sco) 73 70, A Oldcorn (Sco) 76 67, D Johnson (USA) 71 72, J Sallat (Fra) 70 73,