Rock edges clear in Turin

Robert Rock claimed sole leadership of the Italian Open after today’s second round as he edged a shot clear of the chasing pack.

The 34-year-old Englishman held a share of the overnight lead with compatriot Chris Wood and a round of 68 in Turin today moved him to 12 under for the tournament, held near Turin.

Rock had just a single bogey on his card, at the par-three 15th, but picked up five birdies including a four on the final hole which took him to the top of the leaderboard.

Wood remains close behind, though, just one shot back on 11 under after a second round of 69 which included five birdies and two bogeys.

He was joined by Dutchman Joost Luiten, who climbed the standings with a five-under 67 round. Luiten sank five birdies and added an eagle on the par-five 11th to boost his score.

Italian duo Francesco Molinari and Matteo Manassero sat among a group of six players tied for fourth – two shots behind Rock.

Molinari recovered from an early bogey to sink five birdies on his way to a round of 68, while teenager Manassero also recorded five birdies, with a dropped shot on the 15th his only blemish.

Englishman Gary Boyd joined the duo with a fine seven-under 65 today which saw him leap 27 places, with Welshman Rhys Davies, Frenchman Gregory Bourdy and another Italian, Lorenzo Gagli, completing the group.

Gagli was another big mover today climbing 16 places with his round of 66, while Davies carded five birdies and one bogey to complete the second round in four under.

Northern Ireland’s Darren Clarke saw a major improvement on his opening round of 71 by picking up six shots to finish the day on seven under overall.

Defending champion Fredrik Andersson Hed sits two shots further back after a three-under 69, but Colin Montgomerie missed the cut despite a better performance in the second round.

The Scot signed for a three-over 75 yesterday and although he carded a two-under 70 today, it was not enough to take him through to the weekend’s play.

How Montgomerie would have loved to swap places with young Frenchman Victor Dubuisson.

The Nice-born 21-year-old had a terrific 10-birdie 62 to make amends for his opening 73 and surge to nine-under, just three behind Rock.