Story highlights
Lee Slattery cards a six-under-parr 66 to lead the Madrid Masters after 36 holes
The Englishman is one stroke ahead of Francesco Molinari and Eduardo De La Riva
World number one Luke Donald is five strokes off the pace after a round of 70
England’s Lee Slattery carded a six-under-par round of 66 to hold a one-stroke lead at the halfway stage of the Madrid Masters at the El Encin Golf Hotel.
The 33 year old Slattery, who has never won a tournament on the European Tour, lies on a 36-hole total of 133 (-11), one stroke ahead of European Ryder Cup star Francesco Molinari of Italy and Spaniard Eduardo De La Riva.
Another Italian, Lorenzo Gagli, is a further stroke back in fourth place, with Australian Brett Rumford and overnight leader Ross McGowan (72) tied for fifth position another shot behind.
World number one and defending champion Luke Donald is one of five players on 138, five strokes off the pace, after posting a 70.
Slattery is another one of those players trying desperately to finish in the top 115 of the Race To Dubai, to ensure he retains his European Tour card for 2012.
In 2007, Slattery lost his card by just €77, and he faces another fight on his hands as he currently lies out of the qualification places in 136th position.
He told the official European Tour website: “I’ve putted well today, and I seemed to hole everything.
“I drove the ball well too. You can give it a good smack off the tee and you feel yourself trying to hit it harder and harder.
“I was actually getting too cautious with my game but round here you can’t be, you just whack it. This suits me because I just enjoy it and don’t think too much – that’s the key.
“I’ve been so relaxed out there, I don’t think I’ve ever walked off the course feeling so relaxed after shooting a 66.
HSBC Champions winner Molinari was pleased with his five-under-par 67, saying: “It was a good solid round, I’m hitting the ball better than I was this summer. Today’s round was trickier than yesterday’s because of the wind.”
Meanwhile, U.S. Open champion Rory McIlroy, defending champion YE Yang and American Rickie Fowler are among a group of vie players who share the lead after the second round of the Korea Open in Cheonan.
The trio are joined by veteran Korean Mo Joong-Kyung and Australian Bronson La’Cassie on 137, three strokes clear of Kim Meen-Whee, who leads the chasing pack.
