Irish in sight of the leaders

EISENHOWER TROPHY: Gareth Shaw fired a spectacular hole in one as Ireland moved into contention for a medal in the World Amateur Team Championship for the Eisenhower Trophy in South Africa yesterday.

The Lurgan player's ace came on the 163-yard ninth - his closing hole - on the tough De Zalze course with a seven-iron and provided the perfect climax to Ireland's second day.

Shaw finished with a splendid three under par 69 - the same score-as Irish and European champion Rory McIlroy to give them a second round aggregate of six-under going to four-under for the tournament overall.

That catapulted them from joint 18th overnight to a share of seventh place and within sight of the halfway leaders. They are just six strokes behind top country Canada, who go into this morning's third round one stroke ahead of defending champions America.

Shaw had covered his first nine holes in one-over-par 37, which included two bogeys in the final three holes but he then moved up several gears and collected three birdies and that hole in one on his way home.

McIlroy, 17, also started at the 10th and an immediate birdie helped him on his way - he played the first nine in 34 and six pars, two birdies and a bogey gave him a homeward score of 35.

Co Louth's Simon Ward improved by four strokes on his Thursday score but still it was his card of 72 that was discounted.

Irish captain Michael Burns was naturally pleased with his side's comeback and the fact they are spearheading the home countries' challenge.

"It was a nervous start but today we grinded out a score. We still have some good golf to come. I was watching Gareth at the last and said we could do with something to lift the team and he holed in one - fantastic."

Scotland are joint 12th at halfway with Spain and New Zealand while England and Wales are among the countries sharing 15th spot.

DUBAI MASTERS: World number one Annika Sorenstam stretched her lead to five shots at the halfway stage after adding a second round 68 to her course record 65 at the Dubai Women's Masters.

Australia's Karrie Webb, ranked third in the world, also shot 68 to move into second place on six-under, while England's Trish Johnson was in a three-way tie for third on five-under after a best-of-day 67.

Johnson launched her attack with a great back nine of 32. She birdied three holes in a row from the turn, almost made a hole-in-one at the short 15th and then picked up another shot at the 16th.

"I hit a lot of good shots out there," said Johnson, who has not enjoyed the best of seasons.

"It's a pity this is the last tournament of the year."

Sorenstam birdied five holes of the first 15 holes before dropping her first shot of the tournament at the eighth (her 17th hole) where she hit a seven-wood second through the green.

"I played really well, especially getting to the turn in four-under. On the back nine, I just couldn't really get anything going. But just one bogey in 36 holes is pretty satisfying."

Ireland's Rebecca Coakley missed the cut after a second round 72 for 150.