McGrane five off pace in China Open

Damien McGrane let slip the chance to shine in the dull conditions on the second day of the Volvo China Open.

Strong cold winds, and weather McGrane is so familiar with greeted the co-sanctioned field on the Binhai Lake course in Tianjin.

England’s Gary Boyd (67) and Frenchman Jean Baptiste Gonnet (67) head the event on 11 under par and one clear of South African Branden Grace (67) with defending champ Nicolas Colsaerts of Belgium (67) in fourth place at nine under par.

Grace won two events earlier this year in his rookie season including denying Colsaerts victory in Volvo Champions at Fancourt but is yet to post a top-20 result since his double dose of success.

McGrane captured his only Race to Dubai success in winning the 2008 Volvo China Open with conditions very similar to this year’s second round.

However the Kells golfer failed to take advantage in posting a one under par 71 to fall back into a share of 16th place at six under par and five from the front.

Peter Lawrie (71) and Shane Lowry (69) are next best of the Irish at four under par.

Ballyclare’s Gareth Maybin produced a blistering start in birding five holes in succession from his second hole.

However Maybin then slipped in dropping three shots over his closing 10 holes in a round of 71 to make the cut at three under par.

And fellow Ulsterman Michael Hoey bounced back from a first round 74 to make the cut with a 68 and be tied with World No. 25 Ian Poulter at three under par.

Missing the cut and finishing near the tail of the field was 13-year old Chinese Guan Tian-lang with scores of 77 and 79.

But Guan headed home with the record of being the youngest-ever player to compete on the European Tour.