Old-style Westwood moves into contention

Golf Digest: Lee Westwood pardoned a previously condemned putter to storm into contention for his first European Tour title in almost four years.

Westwood carded a course-record 64, eight under par, in the second round of the Valle Romano Open de Andalucia to lie just two shots off the lead held by stablemate Louis Oosthuizen.

The world number 63 was furious with his putting in an opening 72 and discarded the offending "belly" putter in favour of a standard club yesterday, and was rewarded with eight birdies in a flawless display at Aloha Golf Club.

Oosthuizen holed from 20 feet on the 18th for his sixth birdie of the day to grab the outright lead on 10-under-par 134.

David Higgins is well in the hunt after a 68 left him just three shots off the pace on 137.

Damien McGrane is on 142 after a 70, while Paul McGinley also made the cut after a 73 for 143.

Challenge Tour: Michael Hoey and Colm Moriarty are leading the Irish charge at the halfway stage of European Challenge Tour's AGF Allianz Golf Open de Toulouse.

It was a second round of contrasting fortunes for the Irish pair, with Hoey unable to continue the first-round form, adding a 74 for six-under-par 138, just three behind joint leaders Christian Reimbold and Michiel Bothma.

Moriarty, on the other hand, charged up the leaderboard, from 56th position at the start of the day to a tie for seventh at the end thanks to a fine, five-under-par 67.

Seniors Tour: In spite of some unusual preparation, Ireland's Eamonn Darcy made a classy return to action at The Gloria Classic in Turkey yesterday after more than six months away from top level tournament golf.

Darcy last played on Tour in October last year, and in the intervening period has spent more time learning the art of showjumping than hitting golf balls.

His new hobby, however, does not appear to have damaged his golf game, judging by his opening round of three-under-par 69, which saw him finish the day two shots off the pace.

Tony Johnstone, Stewart Ginn and Delroy Cambridge share the lead after rounds of 67.

Denis O'Sullivan was a model of consistency with a round that contained 17 pars and a lone birdie at the par three 15th.

Europro Tour: The 2005 British Amateur Open champion Brian McElhinney won his first professional tournament at Roganstown Golf Club yesterday when claiming a one-shot victory in Oceanico Group Irish Classic on the EuroPro Tour.

The 24-year-old shot a final round 68, including an inward half of 32, for a two-under-par total of 211.

Despite hitting just four fairways and 10 greens, he amassed five birdies and two bogeys over the Swords layout.

His victory, which earned him €14,708, is the second successive win by an Irishman on the EuroPro Tour, coming just a week after Colm Moriarty prevailed in Norwich.

The tour moves to Faithlegg GC next week.

Women's Tour: Australia's Nikki Garrett shot a seven-under-par 65 to establish a one-shot lead after the second round of the Ladies Spanish Open in Castellon yesterday.

The 23-year-old moved to 11-under with overnight leader Rebecca Hudson posting a 69 for a share of second at Club de Campo Mediterraneo.

Rebecca Coakley, with a 70 for 144, and Claire Coughlan, with a second successive 73, made the cut for the weekend.

Martina Gillen missed out again after a 76 left her four shots outside the cut of 147.