McLardy in line for double celebration

Helped by a decision to cut the rain-hit Italian Open from 72 to 54 holes – for the third time in six years – South African Andrew McLardy could have a first European Tour win to celebrate along with the birth of his first child this month.

McLardy moved to 14 under par, one ahead of England’s Nick Dougherty, with a second successive 65 at Tolcinasco near Milan, and was then told the forecast for possible thunderstorms meant Sunday’s third round will also be its last.

The 33-year-old, second in Madeira in 2005 and at the Joburg Open in January, heads home next week to await the arrival of his baby daughter on May 24.

“Six in the morning, C-section,” said McLardy matter-of-factly. “It’s my wife’s choice.

“In South Africa it seems to be the fashion and all her friends seem to have it.”

Dougherty’s 64, which equalled the lowest of his Tour career, lifted him into second place, one ahead of big-hitting Spaniard Alvaro Quiros, Austrian Markus Brier – both of whom are seeking their second victories of the season – and Swede Joakim Backstrom, the player who broke the course record with his 62 on Thursday.

Nearly nine hours were lost yesterday and players had to wait an extra 90 minutes to resume the second round this morning.

Then, just after Dougherty had finished, play was suspended yet again at 4.40pm because of the danger of lightning.

McLardy, actually born in Zimbabwe of Scottish parents, birdied seven of the last 10 holes, while Dougherty played the same stretch in six under.

Quiros, meanwhile, finished his 67 with a massive drive and towering eight-iron to seven feet for an eagle on the 513-yard ninth.

The 24-year-old earned this tribute from playing partner David Lynn: “He’s the best player I’ve played with out here – so impressive.”

Winner last December of the Alfred Dunhill Championship in South Africa – just the fifth European Tour event of his life and his first as a full member - Quiros leads the Tour’s driving distance statistics this year with an average of 311.2 yards, three less than America’s biggest hitter Bubba Watson.

“My arms are like legs,” he said, spreading them out like wings. “My swing is high speed, but sometimes it’s a great problem. Under pressure it’s not easy to control.”

Indeed he ranks only 159th out of 191 in driving accuracy, but when it is working well it is a huge advantage, especially on a course as wet as this week’s.

Tom Lehman, last year’s American Ryder Cup captain, added a 68 to his opening 70 to stand six-under, while playing partner Francesco Molinari, who last year became the first home winner since 1980, was eight-under.