Cat ready to pounce

The golfer known as “The Cat” is looking to pounce in the Forest of Arden this weekend – by creating European tour history.

At 49 years and almost 10 months Argentina’s Eduardo Romero would be the oldest-ever winner on the circuit and he went into the second round of the Daily Telegraph Damovo British Masters today just a stroke behind overnight leader David Howell.

It is no surprise to find Romero where he is either. He finished a best-ever fifth on the Order of Merit two years ago after winning the Scottish Open at Loch Lomond and then losing a play-off to Padraig Harrington in the Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews.

The popular South American also led the European Masters in Switzerland with a round to play only last September, but could not answer Ernie Els’ closing round of 65.

Since his tour debut in 1984 Romero has earned over £5m (€7.4m) – more than Seve Ballesteros, Sam Torrance and Sandy Lyle – and another fortune seemingly awaits once he becomes eligible this summer for the over-50s scene.

“The first week after my 50th birthday is the Seniors British Open in Northern Ireland and I think I would be a good bet that week,” he said with a smile.