Lawrie hot on the heels of Larrazabal

Golf: While Peter Lawrie’s challenge stalled on the second day of the BMW International Open, his namesake Paul moved into contention…

Golf:While Peter Lawrie's challenge stalled on the second day of the BMW International Open, his namesake Paul moved into contention for a first title in eight years today. The Scot had seven birdies in the first 16 holes to move to 10 under.

The was good enough for a share of second place and left the 41-year-old only two strokes behind Spaniard Pablo Larrazabal.

Lawrie, whose last victory came at the 2002 Wales Open, resumed on three under, five off the overnight pace set by his compatriot Peter Whiteford and Welshman Bradley Dredge, and picked up shots on the 11th, 13th, 14th, 16th, first and fourth.

With Whiteford and Dredge among the later starters former French Open champion Larrazabal took the chance to lead by turning 34 and then grabbing further birdies on the 11th, 15th and 17th in the glorious sunshine.

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He was only one ahead of Ariel Canete, however, after the Argentinian golfer added a 69 to his opening 65.

Two further back in a tie for fourth were England’s David Hosey (67), South African Charl Schwartzel, Austrian Markus Brier and, of course, Whiteford and Dredge.

After yesterday’s round of 66, Peter Lawrie lost ground on the leaders as he carded a 73 to slip back to five under. Simon Thornton, who has just started his second round, is on four under while Gary Murphy is another two further back.