Golf: Pilkington stays in the Heineken hunt

Mark Pilkington stayed right in the thick of the action on the second day of the Heineken Classic in Melbourne.

While Nick Faldo, joint third overnight, managed only a 73, Pilkington took a share of the early clubhouse lead.

The former Wales amateur champion moved on to the eight under par mark of 136 to be alongside Greg Norman.

Out on the course, however, Ernie Els added a front nine 35 to Thursday's 64 and when he birdied the par five 10th as well he had restored his two-stroke advantage.

Faldo fell back to four under and among the players who came past him was New Zealander Richard Lee with a course record 62.

Pilkington was roasting in the 90-degree heat by the time he finished, but said: "It beats the wind, rain and cold of home, doesn't it?

"I was a bit more up and down than the first round, but playing a course as good as this raises your game a bit."

Faldo said: "I really struggled. I was not confident with my swing, so it was hard."