Wall looks solid in Kent

Shane Lowry could not produce the fireworks he needed today after starting his professional career with a 78 – but he saw some from playing partner Anthony Wall.

Lowry, whose stunning victory at the Irish Open two weeks ago made him only the third amateur to win a European Tour title, was heading out of the European Open at the London Club when he remained six over with seven holes of his second round to play.

But Wall’s five successive birdies on the back nine took the Londoner into a tie for the lead with Denmark’s Anders Hansen.

Joint sixth in last week’s BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth last Sunday, Wall began his run by chipping to 18 inches at the long 12th.

He then sank putts of 14, eight and five feet before hitting a superb approach to 10 feet on the difficult 486-yard 16th.

Even when he was in the rough off the tee two holes later a chip to two feet rescued his par and took him to the turn in 32.

Hansen, leader by one overnight following a seven under 65, set off again with yet another birdie, but then came six pars in a row.

Biggest shock of the morning was that Masters champion Angel Cabrera bogeyed five of his first seven holes and at five over was almost certain to suffer his third missed cut in four events since he triumphed at Augusta.

Lee Westwood, who also crashed out early at Wentworth a week ago, was in danger of another early exit when he resumed with three bogeys in four holes.

A birdie at the long 15th did lift him back to level par, but the axe was expected to fall tonight at one or even two under.

Colin Montgomerie was three under after 10 holes and Rory McIlroy one further back, while Sergio Garcia was among the later starters hoping to build on his opening 69.