McGinley on the rise in Malaga

Paul McGinley could not live with Welshman Rhys Davies on his return from knee surgery in Morocco last week, but it was a different story for both of them in Malaga today.

Former Ryder Cup hero McGinley, who has now had to have six operations during his career, was only two shots off the lead at the Andalucian Open when he started his second round with a birdie.

Davies, on the other hand, was in danger of missing the cut five days after his maiden European Tour victory when he dropped to two over par with bogeys at the 11th and 12th holes.

Just behind him defending champion Soren Kjeldsen, also resuming on the back nine, parred his first three holes and so remained five under with former Open champion Paul Lawrie, who was among the day’s later starters.

Swede Alexander Noren’s hopes of qualifying for The Masters in two weeks suffered some early setbacks.

Noren needs to win on Sunday to have a chance of climbing into the world’s top 50 just in time for the Augusta cut-off, but after an opening birdie on the 10th lifted him to two under he bogeyed the 11th and 13th.

South African Louis Oosthuizen is in the same position and a first round 67, three under, kept the possibility alive.