Golf: Goosen brightens Lancome gloom

Overnight leader Retief Goosen made a bright start to his second round as fog twice held up play at the Lancome Trophy in Paris.

After a 30-minute delay at the start only 25 minutes of action was possible before conditions worsened again.

But Goosen, two clear of the field after his opening 64, resumed by holing a 20-foot birdie putt and at eight under had stretched his lead to three.

Colin Montgomerie, already 11 adrift following his first round 75, was given the warmest of receptions on the first tee.

He birdied the 11th, his second of the day, but at three over still had a lot of work to do to stay in the event for the final 36 holes.

Three players did not even venture out for their second rounds, Ireland's Eamonn Darcy withdrew after his opening 79 and Australian Wayne Riley and Spaniard Carlos Rodiles after trailing in joint last on 80.

Sheffield's Mark Roe was among those in second place. His concern was not the fog or trying to catch Goosen, but his left wrist.

On the penultimate hole of his first round 66 Roe had been stung by a wasp and although he finished with two birdies the wrist swelled up badly.

He was given antihistamine, but not the steroids the on-course doctor felt was the best treatment because of the possibility of drug-testing at the event.

After a night's sleep Roe was relieved to discover the swelling had not spread into his hand and was able to tee off again. He is currently 131st on the money list and needs to climb 15 places to avoid his first trip to the tour qualifying school since 1984.