Wood take lead in Mallorca

Chris Wood claimed a three-stroke advantage at the Iberdrola Open in Mallorca as Irish and British golfers dominated the upper reaches of the leaderboard heading into the weekend.

The 23-year-old, who burst onto the scene with a fifth-place finish as an amateur at the Open in 2008, added a five-under 65 to his opening 67 to lead by three from fellow Englishman Matthew Nixon and Ireland's Darren Clarke.

Wood carded six birdies today and was on course to lead by four until a bogey at the par-four 16th knocked him back a stroke.

His closest challengers, Clarke and Nixon, were both level today to sit five under overall.

For Clarke it was a major recovery after a double bogey at the third and a further dropped shot at the ninth saw him go out in 38, three over par, but for European Tour rookie Nixon there was frustration with a double at the 18th.

The 21-year-old, who was the only amateur to secure a card at last year's Qualifying School Final Stage, claimed six birdies but was hampered by two bogeys and, most harmfully, two doubles at the par-four third and par-three 18th.

The Manchester golfer was not focusing on the disappointment at the last as he turned his attention to the weekend.

"I think I'll be more dwelling on the fact that I am playing well and have a great chance over the weekend having missed the last two cuts," the told www.europeantour.com.

"I just have to go out there and give it 100% and see what happens. There are scores to be made out there but if you hit a couple of loose ones then you can make a big number so hopefully I can keep it going and keep the mistakes off the card.

"There is work to do over the weekend and some great players in the field so I will keep my head down and see what it brings over the next couple of days."

Nixon achieved the best result of his fledgling professional career in Spain, finishing 11th at the Open de Andalucia in March.

One shot behind Nixon today on four under were another Englishman, David Lynn, and France's Thomas Levet.

A further stroke back were Ireland's Simon Thornton, Scotland's Paul Lawrie and England's Danny Willett, who was second overnight, as golfers from the British Isles made up seven of the top eight.

For overnight leader Gregory Bourdy, today was as bad as yesterday was good.

After taking control with a course-record seven-under-par 63, he was seven over today, a triple-bogey seven at the 12th doing much of the damage, and finished the day tied for 21st on level-par.