Whitehouse presides over qualifying rivals

Tom Whitehouse’s decision to compete in this week’s European Tour qualifying school reaped its rewards at San Roque in Spain.

The 25-year-old Englishman surged to the head of the field after the second round, posting a neatly-assembled six-under-par 66 for an eight-under aggregate of 136 to open up a two-stroke lead over fellow midlander Robert Rock.

Whitehouse already has a European Tour card for 2006 after finishing 17th on this year’s Challenge Tour Order of Merit, although he will be ranked behind those 30 players who gain their cards at the end of this week’s six-round examination.

Whitehouse had considered settling for a place behind the successful qualifying school graduates until he realised that he could guarantee himself more tour starts in 2006 with a high finish here at San Roque.

“I didn’t decide to come here until the last day,” explained Whitehouse, whose flawless round featured six birdies.

“I was told that if got in the top 10 or something it would be worth maybe two or three starts at the start of the year which I wouldn’t get with the card I won on the Challenge Tour. I know it doesn’t sound a lot, but it could potentially be huge.”

Second-place man Rock continued his steady progress with a second-consecutive three-under 69 to hoist himself up onto the six-under 138 mark.

“It’s nice to see your name second after two rounds but then you realise you still have another tournament to play, so it doesn’t mean much,” he said.

David Griffiths, a former English amateur international, shares third place with South African Louis Oosthuizen and France’s Benoit Teilleria on 139 after a 68.

Johan Skold of Sweden, the tour school final winner at San Roque in 2001, is sixth on 140 while former Ryder Cup player Jarmo Sandelin, a five-time winner on the European circuit, shares eighth after a 72 left him on 141.

David Drysdale, who finished one place short of retaining his tour card this season, stayed on course for a swift return despite slipping to a one-over 73.

The 30-year-old remains in the top 30 on a level-par 144.

European Ryder Cup vice-captain Peter Baker shaved nine shots off his opening 83 with a second-round 74 but the two-time tour winner still languishes down in 151st place with a 157.