Brier holds slender lead

10/4/2008

Markus Brier took the lead at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship after a second round 70 at St Andrews took him to eight under par on a day when freezing cold conditions meant layers were the clothing of choice.

The Austrian’s two under par effort followed a 66 at Kingsbarns yesterday and gives him a one shot lead in the clubhouse.

Brier - looking for a first win on The European Tour since the 2007 Volvo China Open - leads by a shot from four players.

McIlroy ended the day seven under par after an impressive three under round at Carnoustie.

McIlroy - playing with football legend Sir Bobby Charlton - reached the turn in 36 with a solitary birdie and a bogey.

The Northern Irishman picked up another shot at 17 to go level with Kaymer but he dropped a shot at the last to close the day with a 69.

Kaymer reached nine under par at one stage during his round at St Andrews, having blazed round Kingsbarns in 65 yesterday.

Hansen - who held a share of the lead overnight after a 64 yesterday - was set back by consecutive bogeys at the fifth and the sixth.

Karlsson, also playing St Andrews, recorded a two under par round.

The Swede is looking to overhaul Padraig Harrington and Lee Westwood in the race for The Order of Merit and enhanced his chances with birdies at the first and second.

Leaderboard – Round 2:

1. Markus Brier                        AUT  66 70 136 - 8
2. Martin Kaymer                     GER  65 72 137 - 7
    Robert Karlsson                   SWE  67 70 137 - 7
    Soren Hansen                      DEN  64 73 137 - 7
    Rory McIlroy                         NIR  68 69 137 - 7
6. Jose Filipe Lima                   POR  67 71 138 - 6
    Magnus A. Carlsson             SWE  70 68 138 - 6
    Jarmo Sandelin                   SWE  66 72 138 - 6
    Padraig Harrington                IRL  67 71 138 - 6
    Lee Westwood                     ENG  68 70 138 - 6
    Michael Campbell                 NZL  68 70 138 - 6
    Gary Orr                             SCO  66 72 138 - 6
    Raphaël Jacquelin                FRA  68 70 138 - 6

Source: European Tour