Higgins right in the hunt

European Tour: English duo Simon Dyson and Gary Emerson played out their old pals' act yesterday in the second round of the BA-CA Austrian Open to claim a share of first and third respectively.

Drawn together for the first two days, Dyson benefited most on Thursday with a 66, and he repeated that score to lead on 10 under with home favourite Markus Brier, who carded a four-under-par 67 after his opening day heroics.

Emerson had the better of things on the second day, however, setting a course record with a seven-under-par 64 which included an eagle at the 528-yard 18th, his ninth.

That lifted him to eight under alongside Miguel Angel Jimenez, who recorded his second 67 of the week. Colin Montgomerie is a shot further back after a round of 68.

David Higgins is on the same mark as the Scot after adding a 68 to his opening 67.

Gary Murphy is next best of the Irish on 138 after a 70, while Stephen Browne continued to show some form by shooting a second 70 for 140.

Paul McGinley was in danger of missing the cut, but a birdie at the last ensured a second successive 71 and he got in by two shots.

Not so fortunate were Michael Hoey, who despite a fine 69 had left himself too much to do with a first-round 77, and Colm Moriarty, who struggled both days.

Dyson and Emerson admitted their friendly rivalry had made things easier at the Fontana Golf Club just outside Vienna.

"Gary played fab. We were both playing well, he was just holing the putts," said the 28-year-old York golfer.

Emerson was impressive after dropping a shot at his first hole.

Back-to-back birdies at 12 and 13 were repeated at 15 and 16 before he capped an outward nine of 31 with an 18-foot eagle at the par-five 18th.

Further birdies came at the first, third and seventh - two of them putts from inside three feet - with another bogey in between at the fourth.

"It was nice to see some putts go in," said the Dorset golfer, whose only European Tour win came in the 2004 Russian Open.

"I changed my routine after three-putting my first from 15 feet. Rick (Prentice, his caddy) was lining me up from the third and the rest of the round went well."

Brier was never going to match his round of the previous day - which included a hole in one - but he did enough to safeguard his position.

A double-bogey six at the second, his 11th, when he failed to get out of a fairway bunker, spoiled a round which included six birdies.

"I hope I can keep it up for another two rounds. I didn't feel too much pressure and if I get another good round tomorrow I will be in contention Sunday afternoon," said Brier, who accepted his local knowledge of the course had helped.

Montgomerie bogeyed the seventh and then had birdies at the ninth, 15th, 16th and 18th, his eagle putt at the last stopping just inches from the cup.

"It was patience day today and I needed to keep my head on as much as I can - I needed at least a 68 to keep in touch with the leaders and I have done," said the Scot.