Cabrera in pole position

Argentina’s Angel Cabrera will take a one-shot lead into the third and final round of the Italian Open today.

Argentina’s Angel Cabrera takes a one-shot lead into the third and final round of the Italian Open today.

Seventy-six players returned to the Castello di Tolcinasco course this morning to complete the second round after Friday’s play was washed out and play was further delayed on Saturday.

Sweden’s Joakim Haeggman birdied five of the six holes he had to play to complete the back nine in just 30 shots for a 13-under-par total of 131.

“That was worth getting out of bed for,” said Haeggman, who had to be in position on the course in time for the 7.30am restart.

France’s Thomas Levet also finished well with an eagle and a birdie in his last four holes to move to 12 under, alongside Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell who carded a second consecutive 66 on Saturday.

Five players were a shot further back on 11 under, including Sheffield’s Mark Roe who is seeking his first European Tour title in a decade.

Pre-tournament favourite Ian Poulter, seeking his third Italian Open in five years, is four off the lead after a second-round 66.

But Jose Maria Olazabal missed the cut for the second week in a row, his one-under-par total one shot too many.