British Seniors’ Championship: Bland is front-runner

John Bland remains the front-runner in the £501,000 British Seniors’ Championship at Royal County Down.

He is the halfway leader at five-under-par, one stroke ahead of David Oakley

and Bob Charles.

South African Bland returned a second round 69 after starting eagle-par-birdie but being one over at the turn before pencilling in a hat-trick of birdies from the 10th hole.

He had two more birdies at 16 and 17 sandwiched between two bogeys.

American David Oakley made the early running today with a three-under-par 68 to be four-under for the tournament.

Oakley, second at Royal Portrush in ‘96, made seven birdies with a four-in-a-row from the 9th hole but three-putted from the edge of the 18th for bogey six.

Charles who was round in 69 had an unusual birdie at the 18th - his second in two days - as he rolled in a 12 feet putt. Bogeys were more usual at the lat hole.

Denis Durnien, leader of the Order of Merit, was joint overnight leader with Bland after the first round, but lost ground today carded a 76 to be two-over for his 36 holes but still safely inside the cut which was made at eight-over-par 150.

Jack Nicklaus (level par) and Gary Player (three over) are also through but not Arnold Palmer who finished at 17 over.

Leading Irishman is Kenny Stevenson who had his second 72 to be two over - one shot ahead of Paul Leonard.

Ten Irish began the tournament but only five made the cut.

Denis O’Sullivan (six over), Eddie Polland (seven over) and amateur Arthur Pierce (eight over) remain to complete the last two rounds over the weekend.

Sixty-six professional players and two amateurs will play the last 36 holes.