Maybin slip lets Vancski in

Gareth Maybin opened up the race for the BMW Italian Open in Turin today when he could add only a 70 to his course-record 64.

Big-hitting Daniel Vancsik, from Argentina, took over at the top by a stroke at nine under par with a 65, while American star John Daly stayed in the hunt with a second successive 69 for four under.

Maybin, three clear overnight, had just one bogey after driving into the rough on the 435-yard third, but there were only two birdies – a 25-footer on the short 15th, his sixth, and a 15-footer at the first.

“Tee to green I was not very good,” admitted the European Tour rookie, who in December lost the South African Open in a play-off after missing an eight-foot putt on the final green.

“I had to work really hard – too hard – and I’ll do a bit of work on the range to sort my driving out.

“Usually anybody who finishes well is going to have one of those days, so hopefully that’s mine out of the way.”

Vancsik, a winner in Madeira two years ago, made his move with five birdies in six holes around the turn and parred in from there.

His was not the low round of the morning, however. Finn Roope Kakko improved from level par to seven under with a 64, although it will not be listed as matching Maybin’s course record.

That is because placing was allowed on the fairways with a forecast of thunderstorms later in the day.

Kakko, one of the last players into the championship, shared third spot with England’s Anthony Wall, who shot 67, while Wall’s compatriot Robert Rock burst to five under with a 65.

That came 24 hours after he destroyed his putter in anger after his opening 72.

“My putting was terrible. I tried to calm down, but couldn’t and decided to smash it,” he said.

“I couldn’t break it, but bent it several times and that took a bit of frustration out.”

Daly, whose colourful collection of trousers continued with a psychedelic pair, commented: “Yesterday could have been really low, but today could have been really high.

“I didn’t hit it that great and one-putted the first five greens.”

Playing partner Francesco Molinari, winner of the title three years ago, thrilled his home crowd when he packed an eagle and two birdies into his first four holes to go joint leader.

But he then slipped back to five under with a 69.

Darren Clarke missed the cut on seven over following a 75, while Colin Montgomerie was among the later starters and resumed on one over, just outside the expected cut-off mark.