McDowell keeps pressure on Broadhurst

Former Ryder Cup player Paul Broadhurst moved into the lead at the Madrid Open today – but had Graeme McDowell, surely a Ryder Cup player of the future, breathing down his neck.

A second-round 65 containing seven birdies took the 39-year-old Broadhurst to 10 under par and left Colin Montgomerie seven strokes adrift as he managed only a level-par 71.

But Montgomerie’s playing partner McDowell came in with a seven-under 64 to give himself the chance to improve on what is already the best season of his career.

McDowell stands sixth on the Order of Merit with just over £1million. He won the Italian Open, but blew the German Masters from five clear last month and two weeks ago lost a play-off to Stephen Gallacher at the Dunhill Links championship.

“I’m cruising along quite nicely,” said the Ulsterman. “I’m still not 100% happy, but it’s all about giving myself chances and how I do it I don’t mind.”

Broadhurst’s wife Lorraine gave birth to their fourth child a month ago and he said: “I could easily have stayed at home because she’s not been 100%.

“But I knew if I did that I wouldn’t play much golf. I wanted to keep my game ticking over.”

McDowell was alongside Dane Anders Hansen in second place on eight under, but that was before overnight leader Julien Clement had even teed off again. The Swiss player began with a 64 of his own yesterday.

Clement has the added pressure, however, of having to finish first or second to retain his European tour card.

Broadhurst has every sympathy for all those involved in the scramble for places on next season’s circuit, especially his best friend Peter Baker.

A member of the 1991 European team, Broadhurst had to go back to the qualifying school in 2001 and 2002 before re-establishing himself. Baker is 121st on the Order of Merit and had a disappointing 73 yesterday.

The heat was also on fellow Englishman Simon Wakefield, currently in the 116th and last card-saving position. When he finished on level par he was lying joint 76th and was all too aware that only the leading 70 and ties qualify for the final two rounds.

“I hope the wind gets up and the ants come out and bite everybody,” he said. “I feel physically sick at the moment.”

Jamie Spence, one of those chasing him, produced a superb 66 to get to five under. The chairman of the players’ committee is in 120th place on the money list.