Lafeber leads as shank adds to Faldo’s dismal day

NICK FALDO suffered a dreaded shank as his hopes of a first win in Europe since 1994 were dealt a potentially fatal blow in the Lancome Trophy.

Faldo was one off the lead after an opening 65 but slumped to a second round 74 at St Nom La Breteche to finish nine shots off the pace set by Holland's Maarten Lafeber.

The six-time major winner's last European tour victory came in Belgium in 1994 his last individual win in the Nissan Open in America in 1997 but he has handed control of his various business projects to his management company to concentrate solely on golf. The 45-year-old has also ended his interest in becoming the next Ryder Cup captain to try and play his way into the side instead, and will organise his schedule accordingly when the qualifying period starts next September.