Cool Thornton takes route 66 in Madeira

IRELAND’S Simon Thornton shot a six-under par round of 66 to lead at the Madeira Islands Open at Porto Santo Golfe.

Thornton heads the leaderboard on seven under, one shot clear of Frenchman Francois Delemontagne.

Thornton carded five birdies and an eagle, while England‘s Chris Gane, who had led after the first day, went round level par yesterday and remains on five under — two shots off the pace in fourth.

Aside from Thornton, Den mark’s Andreas Harto was the biggest move, going round five shots under to finish fifth, with England’s Jamie Elson in third.

- France’s Virginie Lagoutte-Clement takes a five-shot lead into the weekend at the UniCredit German Open in Munich after firing a course-record equalling nine-under-par 63.

The 32-year-old had a front nine total of seven under par 29 tying the Ladies European Tour’s all-time record for nine holes, leaving her 15 under par for her two rounds.

Lagoutte-Clement first carded two birdies on the back nine, at the 10th and 17th and then, after sitting out a weather delay due to lightning, fired five birdies and an eagle two on the front.