Cabrera struggle continues

Angel Cabrera was in danger of missing his third halfway cut in four tournaments since his Masters triumph after he began his second round of the European Open with three successive bogeys at the London Club today.

Already down in 75th place after a level par 72 yesterday, Cabrera plunged to joint 124th in the 156-strong field.

At three over the Argentinian was only three shots ahead of Ireland’s Shane Lowry, whose own hopes of playing all four rounds on his professional debut appeared doomed by an opening 78.

Lowry, whose amazing victory in the Irish Open two weeks ago was only the third by an amateur in European Tour history, remained six over after five more holes.

But playing partner Anthony Wall hit back from a bogey at the short 11th, his second, with a hat-trick of birdies and at six under charged into a share of second place.

That was two behind Anders Hansen, however, as the Dane followed up his 65 with a birdie at the 398-yard first.

After a hole-in-one by England’s John Bickerton on the 194-yard third yesterday Frenchman Gregory Bourdy repeated the feat with a five-iron and leapt to three under as a result.

Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie improved to three under with a four on the long 12th, but in the game behind Lee Westwood bogeyed three of his first four holes and slumped to one over.

Like Cabrera, Westwood failed to survive the cut in the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth last week and another unplanned weekend off was looming. The cut was likely to come at one or two under.

His playing partner Rory McIlroy did not make the start he wanted either. By bogeying the 208-yard 11th the 20-year-old was only two under.