Golf: Oldcorn in line for place at Druid's Glen

Andrew Oldcorn today put himself in pole position to qualify for next month’s Seve Trophy in the Madeira Island Open.

Oldcorn began this week’s final qualifying event in 11th place in the standings for Colin Montgomerie’s Great Britain and Ireland team, needing to move up to ninth to secure his place at Druid’s Glen.

That position is currently occupied by Steve Webster, €22,000 clear of Oldcorn, meaning the naturalised Scot needs to finish in at least the top five on Sunday to overhaul Webster, depending on where the Englishman himself finishes.

Oldcorn at least looks in good shape to fulfil his side of the bargain after a second-round 65 at Santo da Serra gave him a share of the halfway lead with Italy’s Massimo Florioli.

The Volvo PGA champion carded eight birdies and just one bogey for a nine-under-par halfway total, matching Florioli’s effort earlier in the day.

‘‘The Seve Trophy is now in the forefront of my mind,’’ admitted Oldcorn. ‘‘Whatever happens in this tournament I know that I have the chance, it’s in my hands.

‘‘That’s my priority over the weekend. Hopefully I can remain in the tournament as well until Sunday and we’ll take it from there. I’m looking forward to it, it’s a nice position to be in early doors. I’m pleased with my form.

‘‘It would mean an awful lot to me having missed out on the World Cup in Japan last year because of injury and also missing out on the Ryder Cup.

‘‘I know full well Monty is not going to pick me, he is going to pick Lee Westwood. You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to work that out. But I know where I stand.’’

Florioli meanwhile has his own agenda, namely making up for last year’s missed opportunity when he led by two shots going into the final round only to be overhauled by veteran Irishman Des Smyth.

Smyth carded a superb 66 to become the oldest ever winner on the European Tour, while Florioli’s closing 73 meant he had to settle for a share of third place.

The 30-year-old finished in a tie for 15th place the following week in Brazil, but made only seven cuts all season and lost his card after finishing 166th on the Order of Merit.

‘‘I practised all winter this year so I can play the best I can when I play on the main tour,’’ said Florioli.

‘‘The work is paying off and I hope it will continue for another two days.

‘‘This kind of course helps me, it is very good and if you play well you can score very low.’’

Surprise first-round leader Olivier David remained in contention, a second round 71 seeing him finish on seven-under-par, two off the lead.