Eric Booker birdied three of his last four holes and shot a nine under-par 63 yesterday to join Omar Uresti in the lead after two rounds of the Compaq Classic of New Orleans, Louisiana. David Duval shot 74 and missed his first cut of the year.

Booker and Uresti stood at 13-under 131, two strokes ahead of Steve Flesch, who shot rounds of 66 and 67 to reach 11 under par.

Duval, a four-time winner this year, ended on even par for the two rounds and missed the cut by two strokes.

Defending champion Lee Westwood shot 71 to finishe on 141, 10 shots off the lead.

Cork's Denis O'Sullivan suffered a disastrous start to his 1999 season on the European Seniors Tour in Turkey yesterday when he was forced to withdraw from the Beko Classic without hitting a shot.

He twisted his left knee on the practice putting green just nine minutes from his tee time in the first round at Klassis Golf and Country Club.