Spanish Open: Ryder Cup fires Coltart

Andrew Coltart revealed his determination to prove himself in September’s Ryder Cup after moving to within a shot of the lead on the second day of the Via Digital Spanish Open in Valencia.

Resuming this afternoon after yesterday’s five-under 67, Ulsterman Darren Clarke quickly moved into a tie with Coltart in second place with birdies at two of his opening five holes.

Coltart fired a four-under-par 68 to shoot up the leaderboard midway through a damp day at El Saler.

Beginning the day at three under, Coltart - starting at the 10th - went out in level-par 36 but his surge came midway through the front nine, with birdies at the fourth, fifth and sixth.

A two at the short ninth completed a fine round and afterwards Coltart pinpointed the Belfry - where Europe and United States do battle this autumn - as his main inspiration this season.

At the same event in 1999, Coltart made the team but only played one of five matches - he lost three and two to Tiger Woods in the final-day singles - and although he had no qualms about captain Mark James’ decision then, he hoped to be able to help his team more extensively this time.

‘‘If I play the Ryder Cup I would like to play three or four matches, not just the final round,’’ the 30-year-old said.

‘‘I don’t want to have to rely on the picks (the two available wild cards) either.’’

Coltart was teamed with Ryder Cup captain Sam Torrance for his opening two rounds, but he denied he had been necessarily out to impress.

He added: ‘‘I enjoy playing with Sam, we have played many times, but when we do I feel like I am playing with a friend, not the Ryder Cup captain.’’

With overnight leader Andrew Oldcorn not out until around 2pm, Coltart lay a shot off the eight-under lead, now also held by Swedish trio Robert Karlsson, Jarmo Sandelin and Carl Pettersson.

Karlsson and Sandelin ignored the early drizzle to quickly rise through the field.

Karlsson, beginning his round on four under after a 68 yesterday, recovered from an early blip at his first hole the 10th to sink birdies at the 14th, 15th, second and third holes.

He then made a tremendous par-save on the long fifth and birdied the seventh to move to eight under.

Playing partner Sandelin blitzed eight birdies in his 66, the day’s best so far.

Pettersson added a 69 to yesterday’s 67 to join his compatriots at the summit.