Irishman Lawrie in Cape contention

DEFENDING champion Tim Clark carded a second successive 67 for a 10-under halfway total and three-shot lead over Irish rookie Peter Lawrie and Scot Andrew Coltart in the South African Airways Open in Cape Town.

Nick Dougherty shared fourth with Holland's Rolf Muntz and Ireland's Gary Murphy and was delighted to have got back on track in his first event of the season.

Lawrie is in his first season on the European Tour after finishing second and then first in the final two events on the Challenge Tour last year to earn his card.