Seve Ballesteros' hopes of making only his fourth halfway cut in two years were fading fast in the Madeira Island Open today.
The five-time major winner has won more than 80 titles worldwide, but has not tasted victory since 1995 or had a top-10 finish since 1998.
The 45-year-old's slump in form reached such a low point last season that he chose not to play in the Open championship for the first time in 27 years, and also decided not to compete in any events in Britain at all.
Of the nine events he did turn up for in 2002, he missed the cut in six, withdrew after one round in Switzerland, was disqualified from the Irish Open at Fota Island, Cork after signing for a 10 instead of a 12 on the 18th hole, and made just one halfway cut.
That came here at Santo da Serra in Madeira, where he also qualified for the final two rounds in 2001, his only other success since then came in the European Masters in September that year.
But after completing a first round 76 this morning, Ballesteros quickly dropped further shots in the second round and looked to be heading for another weekend off.
Ballesteros was one of 72 players who completed their first round today after the loss of three-and-a-half hours' play on Thursday due to two thunderstorms.
Resuming on the ninth hole he carded two bogeys and eight pars in his remaining 10 holes, and after a short break, was back on the course as tournament officials attempted to make up for the lost time.
Starting on the 10th, Ballesteros bogeyed the 12th and ran up a double bogey six on the 14th, and despite a birdie on the next, at six over par was on course to miss the cut.
Compatriot Jesus Maria Arruti still held a one-shot lead on six under par, but was not due to start his second round until 3.35 p.m.
Holland's Robert-Jan Derksen, looking for back-to-back victories after his shock win in Dubai, was one shot behind on five under but not due out until an hour after Arruti.
Gary Murphy and Damien McGrane are best of the Irish contingent on level par but have still to get their second rounds under way.
Philip Walton was two-over and yet to start while Stephen Browne was flirting with the projected cut mark of three-over after nine holes.
Gary Cullen and Peter Lawrie both have mountains to climb when they begin from a lowly seven-over if they want to make it into the weekend.
PA