Rory's got it all - Van de Velde

Jean Van de Velde became the latest member of the Rory McIlroy fan club after moving into contention for a third European Tour title in the Madrid Open.

Van de Velde was paired with McIlroy for the first two rounds at Club de Campo and, although he outscored the 18-year-old by four shots, was highly impressed with the Ulster youngster.

“He was very impressive,” said Van de Velde, who carded a second-round 66 for a seven-under halfway total of 137, two shots behind joint leaders Alejandro Canizares and Daniel Vancsik.

“He has got all the shots in the bag and he is not scared to play them. He is also a great character and a lovely young man. There’s no doubt he can play the game; you don’t finish third last week (in the Dunhill Links Championship) over those three golf courses without having something special.”

Van de Velde only returned to action last month after several months blighted by a mystery illness, the 41-year-old even undergoing tests for bone cancer during the Open at Carnoustie, venue of his infamous last-hole collapse in 1999.

Thankfully those tests, and countless others, came back negative and the former Ryder Cup player was finally diagnosed with a virus which left him exhausted and in pain after physical activity.

“I stopped taking medication just before I came back to play in Switzerland and, touch wood, everything is okay,” said Van de Velde, who was looking forward to France v England in the rugby World Cup semi-final tomorrow evening as much as contending for the title.

“I am having less and less pain in my arms and joints and the bottom of my back as well. Yesterday I finished playing, putted for a while and then hit some balls and woke up this morning pain-free, so that’s a big bonus.”

As for McIlroy, the former European amateur champion added a 68 to his opening 73 to lie three under par, thanks mainly to four birdies in a row around the turn.

“I still missed a few chances out there but I’m happy with a 68 and I’m in for the weekend,” said McIlroy, leading amateur in the Open championship at Carnoustie in July.

“The greens were definitely not as spiked up this morning as they were yesterday afternoon and it was pretty much perfect conditions. I’m happy with where I am at the moment going into the final two rounds.”

England’s Gary Lockerbie carded a second consecutive 68 to lie in third place on eight under par, and the 24-year-old from Penrith needs to remain in that position to retain his card for next season.

Lockerbie currently lies 141st on the Order of Merit with only the top 115 after the Mallorca Classic on October 28 retaining playing privileges for 2008.

“We need something to happen and it’s all going well so far for this week,” Lockerbie said. “I’m not the kind to work out what I need, I just know I need a couple of good weeks.

“A decent week here will get me into next week and there is an awful lot of money up for grabs next week. I’m leaving it a little late but we need to get some money on the board soon.

“The main thing is that I am just starting to play well again, so while a top-three would be nice, just getting into next week would be ideal to be honest.”

The presence of Spain’s Canizares on the leaderboard gave the sparse crowds something to cheer, even if most of the gallery seemed to be members of his family anyway.

“They have been following me and cheering every shot,” Canizares said. “I don’t really feel pressure from that, if anything it makes it a little easier knowing that there are people wishing for it to go your way.

“I was born here, my parents were born here but I consider myself from Malaga. Although my mother won’t be too happy about that!”