Sandelin sets Moscow pace

Former Ryder Cup player Jarmo Sandelin today moved into contention for his first victory in six years in the Inteco Russian Open.

Sandelin won the fifth of his European Tour titles in 2002, three years after representing Europe in the Ryder Cup at Brookline.

Since then the Swede has struggled to reproduce that form and only held onto his tour card at the end of last season by £61.

However, a second round of 64 at Le Meridien Moscow Country Club meant the 41-year-old shared the clubhouse lead with compatriot Mikael Lundberg on 13 under par, one shot ahead of England’s Robert Rock.

Starting from the 10th, Sandelin picked up shots at the 11th and 12th and then rolled in a hat-trick of birdies from the 15th to reach the turn in 31.

For the second day in succession he bogeyed the first but bounced back with a birdie on the next after chipping within inches of the hole.

Sandelin also birdied the sixth and then hit the pin with his approach to the seventh. The ball unfortunately bounced 20ft away but the former rookie of the year holed for birdie and then hit his tee shot at the eighth to within inches of the hole to make it three in a row.

Rock had also started from the 10th and matched Sandelin’s outward half of 31.

The 31-year-old midlander then birdied the second and bogeyed the fourth before holing from 30ft for eagle on the par-five fifth and picking up another birdie on the eighth to also record a 64.

Defending champion Per-Ulrik Johansson was six off the lead after adding a 68 to his opening 69 to lie seven under par.