Golf: Wall in freefall

Anthony Wall’s overnight lead lasted for only three holes in the second round of the Volvo Scandinavian Masters this morning.

Londoner Wall enjoyed a three-shot cushion over some of Europe’s biggest names following a brilliant first round 63 on Thursday, just one shot outside the course record.

The 26-year-old had carded 10 birdies and just one bogey at Barseback yesterday but swiftly began his second round with a bogey at the second followed by a double bogey six at the third to fall back to six-under-par.

That was now only good enough for a share of third place behind joint leaders Peter Hedblom of Sweden and English duo Warren Bennett and Roger Chapman.

Hedblom had picked up one birdie in his opening six holes while Bennett, starting on the back nine, picked up shots on the 10th and 13th to join Hedblom on seven-under-par.

Victory this week would be the perfect tonic for Bennett after he lost out to Bernhard Langer at the Dutch Open on Sunday when he three-putted the first play-off hole.

Chapman had also started on the 10th and two birdies and an eagle on the 16th propelled him into a share of the lead.

Darren Clarke remained six-under-par after a roller-coaster start with two birdies and two bogeys in his first four holes but Ryder Cup captain Sam Torrance was having an unhappier time, a quadruple bogey eight on the 13th and bogey on the 15th dropping him back from five under to level par.