Romero shares lead after fine round

Argentinian Eduardo Romero produced a sensational finish at Turnberry to share the halfway lead with American Loren Roberts in the £1m Senior British Open.

Romero had the lowest round of the tournament so far when he finished eagle-birdie for a 63 to move to 10 under.

American Craig Stadler came within one shot of the leading pair after adding a 66 to his opening effort of 65, while countryman Dave Edwards stayed firmly in contention at eight under following a 65.

But it was 52-year-old Romero who stole the show when he produced the longest drive of his life at 17.

He revealed: “I hit the ball 379 yards and I have never done that before. But I played fantastically.

“My confidence is very high and I feel strong. In fact, I feel as if I’ve only played nine holes today.

“I have been focusing all my concentration on my putting because that has always been a problem. The putter used to be a terrible club for me but not any more.”

Roberts, who carded a second blemish-free round, was involved in an unfortunate incident at the 17th when he struck a female spectator on the side of the head with his second shot.

Local member Catherine McCrindle had acted as a scorer with Roberts’ group in the opening round.

The unfortunate victim required medical attention but, although badly shaken, did not suffer serious injury. By a remarkable coincidence, Roberts’ playing partner, Englishman Mark James followed up by hitting a male spectator on the leg at the last.

Roberts said: “Mark commented that we were mowing them down one after another and that they are going to send a meat wagon out with us tomorrow.

“But seriously, I feel bad about what happened. I fear that the lady might be badly hurt but, fortunately, she seems to be fine.

“Nothing like that has happened to me before and I was very concerned at the time,”

Roberts, who lost to Ernie Els in a sudden death play-off for the 1994 US Open, boasted the proud distinction of not having dropped a single shot following back-to-back 65s.