Karlberg in charge

Sweden’s Rikard Karlberg holds a two-shot lead after carding a second-round 68 in the M2M Russian Open at Tseleevo Golf & Polo Club near Moscow.

Karlberg had been one of three overnight leaders at five under par, along with Simon Dyson and Liang Wen-chong, and four birdies in his opening six holes yesterday saw him open up a gap over the rest of the field. His lead could have been greater had he not dropped shots at the 18th and fifth, having started his round at the 10th.

Karlberg heads a chasing group of four on seven under par. England’s Matthew Baldwin shot a 69 to be three under on the day, with China’s Liang Wen-chong carding a round of 70.