Barham takes inspiration from veteran Broadhurst

England’s Benn Barham hopes to follow in the footsteps of Paul Broadhurst in the Italian Open in Milan this week.

Broadhurst successfully defended his Portuguese Open title earlier this season to put himself in contention for a surprise Ryder Cup return, 15 years after his debut at Kiawah Island in 1991.

And Barham hopes working with psychologist John Pates, who coaches Broadhurst among others, will help kickstart his European Tour career at the second attempt.

The 30-year-old from Kent played on the main tour in 2003 but managed just one top-10 finish and lost his card after finishing 150th on the money list.

Finishing eighth on the Challenge Tour last year secured Barham’s return and a flawless opening 65 at Castello di Tolcinasco left him in outright second place heading into today’s second round.

“On-going work with my swing coach Matt Belsham has now got to a level that I am quite happy with and I’ve started to work with John Pates,” explained Barham, who finished two shots behind Soren Kjeldsen after the Dane equalled the course record with a superb 63.

“He has given me a few different things to think about it’s going okay so far. John works with some good players and I figured I wasn’t playing that great and I wanted to change something.

“I have worked with him before, when I had my card last time towards the end of 2003, and he is good at what he does.

“I played great on the Challenge Tour last year (winning the Madrid Open and recording eight other top 10s) but this year I had forgotten about getting it round the course and making a score. John has reminded me of the fact that’s what you need to do to win tournaments.”

Kjeldsen’s mind is also focused on a win after going three years without a victory following his success in the Diageo Championship at Gleneagles in 2003.

“I think I’ve been in contention once since and that is disappointing,” the 30-year-old said. “I’ve been playing well but just not finishing the job.

“I’ve just being getting a bit tense on Sunday’s and to play as relaxed as I played today is the key. I talk a lot more on the course now, I never used to say a word.”

At nine under Kjeldsen was two shots ahead of Barham with English trio Philip Archer, James Hepworth and Andrew Butterfield, France’s Gregory Havret – the winner in 2001 – South African Michael Kirk and Italy’s Alessandro Tadini all on six under.

Defending champion Steve Webster, who ended a 10-year wait for his maiden tour title at the Arnold Palmer-designed venue 12 months ago, had made a steady start with a one-under 71.

Argentina’s Angel Cabrera, at 25th the only player in the world’s top 50 taking part, also carded a 71.