AROUND these parts, they would describe him as an Ornery cuss. But along with some standard griping, Scott Hoch seemed genuinely pleased with a course record 64 in the second round of the $1.9 million Sarazen World Open here at Chateau Elan yesterday. It swept him into the halfway lead on 132 - 12 under par - and two strokes clear of defending champion, Frank Nobilo.

The stunning standard of the early scoring created its own problems for the late starting Paul McGinley, one of three Irish challengers to survive the halfway cut of 147 - three over. "When I saw those figures on the leaderboard, I felt I had to push things a bit," he said.

This led to two three putt bogeys - at the third and sixth - where McGinley charged his first efforts six feet past the hole. "I was impatient to make a score - it's a fault I have," he admitted. The memory of lessons learned, however, guided him to an extremely productive run of four under for the last 10 holes in a round of 70 for 141 and a projected cheque of $35,625.

Raymond Burns, who earned $9,310 from this event last year, departed the scene after a round of 79 for 152. His main problems came as a result of wildly hooked drives to the long ninth and 10th holes where he carded six, seven to effectively destroy his chances of surviving the cut. But there were solid performances from Padraig Harrington (72 for 142) and Philip Walton (71 for 144).

In his quest of this title, it seems richly ironic that Hoch - may have to cope with some typically nasty "British" weather, over the next two days. He was a notable absentee from this year's British Open at Royal Lytham, blaming the weather and grim experiences at St Andrews in 1990 and 1995 his only appearances in the event.

As it happened, a marked change in the weather was already under way at the start of yesterday's play. Gone was the 80 degree temperature and brilliant sunshine of the early part of the week, to be replaced by overcast skies. But the absence of any wind rendered the course vulnerable.

"This is the first time I can recall hitting every fairway and every green on a quality course," said Hoch, who has just finished his 17th season on tour by claiming ninth position ($1,039,564 dollars) on the US money list. "Obviously, it must also rank as one of my best ever ball striking rounds."

That much was evident in an unusually high total of 28 putts for such a score. And in typical Hoch fashion, much of the magic was wrought with his wedges. In fact he pitched and putted for birdies at each of the four par fives while another of his total of nine birdies, followed a sandwedge approach at the 16th.

Interestingly, Hoch is the biggest US money earner not to have played in the Ryder Cup. And he is clearly conscious of the omission from his golfing CV. "I was alternate twice and second man twice," he said ruefully. "Sure, I want to make next year's team but I don't want to build myself up for another disappointment.

His mastery of Chateau Elan is reflected in the fact that he had a front nine of 31 in the course of a first round 68 on Thursday and in yesterday's round he covered the homeward journey in 31. Referring once more to the British Open, he concluded: "I never feel confident enough to shoot those sort of scores on a links in had weather."

Todd Barranger, the surprise first round leader, held on admirably to be within three strokes of Hoch after a 70. Meanwhile, Nobilo had to work for his score in a second round of 68 which contained five birdies, three of them on his homeward journey, the front nine.

McGinley's revival started at the long ninth where he sank an eight foot birdie putt after a fine recovery from a greenside trap. And the momentum was maintained at the long, 520 yards 14th where he reached the green with a glorious three wood second shot of 250 yards.

Then came another birdie at the 344 yard 16th where a 70 yard sand wedge approach finished six feet from the flag. And the work was completed in splendid style when a nine footer, with a double break, ran unerringly into the cup at the 18th.

The withdrawal of Wayne Riley after an opening 77, meant that Harrington had to continue in a two ball with American, Mike Donald. It made for quite a hit of waiting and, ironically, they finished in semi darkness. "I found it very difficult to read the lines of putts over the closing holes," said the Dubliner.