Gallacher pays penalty

Scotland’s Stephen Gallacher missed equalling the lowest round of his European tour career today after incurring a one-shot penalty for hitting the ball when he did not mean to.

The nephew of former Ryder Cup captain Bernard moved into contention for his first tour title with a second round 64 in the Telefonica Madrid Open at Club de Campo.

But it should have been a 63. Putting for par from three feet at the 467-yard 13th Gallacher clipped the ball making a practice stroke.

“It moved only about a quarter of an inch, but I remembered Davis Love doing the same (at the 1997 Players’ Championship) and he was disqualified for not replacing the ball,” said the 28-year-old.

“It’s a thing you never expect you’re going to do – but I’ll never do it again. From now on I’m going to take my practice stroke about three feet away.”

On the very next hole Gallacher did not have to putt at all, holing from a bunker for an eagle three.

And he finished his round with three birdies to join compatriot Paul Lawrie and Australian Peter Fowler in the clubhouse lead on nine under par.

However, England’s Paul Casey did not tee off until 3.30pm because of a two-hour frost delay at the start of the round and after an outward 32 he was three in front at 12 under.

Lawrie also returned a 64 and it could result in him getting a call from Colin Montgomerie, his former Ryder Cup partner.

Montgomerie is captain of the Britain and Ireland team to face Continental Europe in the Seve Trophy at El Saler near Valencia in two weeks’ time and has one wild card to name next Monday.

For the past two matches Montgomerie has chosen the leading player in the world rankings who does not earn an automatic place – and with Nick Faldo having already said he is unavailable Lawrie is currently next in line.

“I’d love to play again,” said the 34-year-old from Aberdeen, part of the side that won at Druids Glen in Ireland two years ago and also the one that lost at Sunningdale in 2000.

Lawrie’s last victory was the Wales Open at Celtic Manor 14 months ago, but he has been bothered by groin and neck injuries this season.

“I now feel the best I have for two or three years,” he said, “but I’ve been putting like a dog.”

Because things were so bad on the greens he started asking other players about their technique – and did not find one who watched the putter rather than the ball as he did.

“It’s something I’ve always done and there was no need to change while it was working. But when it breaks down you’ve got to try something different and I’m keeping my eyes on the ball now.”

He finished off his seven-birdie display with a 40-footer on the 177-yard ninth.

Spanish star Sergio Garcia, second overnight, twice missed from under three feet as he remained seven under with a 71, while Padraig Harrington, twice a winner on the Club de Campo course, double-bogeyed the 12th en route to a 73 and four under aggregate.

“I’m blaming the delay,” he said. “I found something wrong with my swing spending too much time on the range.”

Sandy Lyle, aching from ’flu symptoms, quit on the fourth hole. He was eight over par and had no hope of the top nine finish he needed to keep a European tour card he has proudly held for 25 years.

The 45-year-old will be seeking sponsors’ invitations next season, while 1998 Irish Open champion and World Cup winner David Carter will be back at the tour qualifying school next month for the first time since he won it nine years ago.

Down in 124th place on the money list he had to move into the top 115 to retain his card, but resumed with a quadruple bogey eight and had a 74 for seven over.

Casey, one ahead of Garcia after his opening 63, added birdies at the first, fifth, sixth and seventh. He remained 12 under with seven to play.

Madrid Leaderboard

12 under - Paul Casey (after 29 holes)

9 under – Paul Lawrie (36)

Peter Fowler (Aus) (36)

Stephen Gallacher (36)

8 under – Marten Olander (Swe) (36)

7 under – Sergio Garcia (Spa) (36)

Angel Cabrera (Arg) (36)

Robert Karlsson (Swe) (30)

Nick O’Hern (Aus) (31)

6 under – Maarten Lafeber (Ned) (36)

Lee Westwood (36)

Others:

4 under – Padraig Harrington (36)

2 under – Ian Woosnam (36)

Level – Ian Poulter (29)

3 over – Nick Faldo (28)

8 over – Seve Ballesteros (Spa) (36)

Retired – Sandy Lyle