Golf: Karlsson tightens his grip on British Masters

Sweden's Robert Karlsson strengthened his grip on the Victor Chandler British Masters.

One ahead after his opening 66, the Ryder Cup hopeful added a 67 for an 11-under-par halfway total of 133 and as the afternoon starts set off he held a five-stroke lead.

With 20-year-old Australian Adam Scott falling back, Andrew Coltart took the chance to go into second place by improving two shots on his first day 70.

Scot Coltart received the Ryder Cup wild card many people thought should have been Karlsson's two years ago and both are vying for a place in Sam Torrance's side this September.

Karlsson currently stands 13th and Coltart 17th, but both could go sixth by capturing the £208,330 first prize on Sunday.

Not that it was developing into a two-horse race. Lee Westwood, David Howell and Australian Nick O'Hern were all on five under and favourite Colin Montgomerie had still to resume on four under.

Sandy Lyle, without a win since the 1992 Volvo Masters, got to five under as well, but then double-bogeyed the short eighth - his 17th - and had to be content with a 72 and three-under aggregate.

Justin Rose would have been five under but for a closing bogey five and Paul Casey, another former amateur star who is playing just his third European tour event, was five under with two to play, but bogeyed the short 17th.