Lawrie leads rain-hit Wales Open

Paul Lawrie equalled the course record to cement his position at the top of the leaderboard in the weather-delayed Celtic Manor Resort Wales Open.

The former Open champion completed the seven remaining holes of his second round in three under to card a seven-under 65.

It gave the 33-year-old a halfway total of 12 under and two-shot lead over Richard Green and John Bickerton, and puts him in pole position to go one better than his second place in the event last year.

Bad weather reduced that event to 36 holes and Lawrie lost out in a sudden-death play-off with eventual winner Paul McGinley and Daren Lee.

The trio played the par three 12th over and over again to find a winner, Lawrie bowing out after three-putting the second time around, McGinley sealing victory and his Ryder Cup place with a par three at the fifth time of asking.

Ironically Lawrie was left facing a six-foot birdie putt on the same hole last night when the third and final suspension of play occurred, and made no mistake when play resumed despite a wait of almost 17 hours.

A similar result in the play-off would of course have given him the title last year, but he still looks a good bet to win his fifth European Tour title if tournament officials get their wish to complete 72 holes.

Further birdies at the 16th and 18th saw him home in 33 to card a 65 that equalled the record established by James Kingston and Richard Green in the first round.