Golf: Lawrie maintains advantage

Paul Lawrie inched closer to his first win in two years in the second round of the delayed Wales Open.

Lawrie began the day as joint leader along with fellow Scot Gary Orr and Paul McGinley after the trio carded five under par 67s.

The 32-year-old has not tasted victory since lifting the Claret Jug at Carnoustie in 1999 but feels his game from tee to green is as good as ever at the moment.

And there was no reason to doubt that as he moved into the outright lead in the second round, delayed from Friday after only 30 minutes play was possible on Thursday.

Birdies at the sixth and 10th were good enough to take Lawrie two clear of the chasing pack with Swede Anders Forsbrand and Wales' Mark Pilkington setting the clubhouse target on five under.

Forsbrand ignored the persistent drizzle to card a superb 67 while Pilkington added a 71 to his opening 68 to remain on course to comfortably improve on his best position this season, 17th in the French Open.

McGinley was also five under on the course after one birdie and one bogey in his opening 12 holes.

Meanwhile Ian Woosnam was facing an anxious wait to see if he had made the halfway cut following a second round 72 that left him on one over par.