Late-night gridiron doesn't distract McIlroy

GOLF EUROPEAN MASTERS:RORY McILROY no longer leads on his own, but he still has a great chance to become the youngest winner on the European Tour since Seve Ballesteros won the first of his record 50 titles.

Watching American football on television at 4am might not have been the greatest preparation for the tougher conditions for the second round at the Omega European Masters in Switzerland, but the Holywood man was happy enough to add a level-par 71 to his brilliant opening 63.

Defending champion Brett Rumford was the player to close the three-stroke overnight gap, with a second successive 67 putting the Australian on eight under at halfway.

Peter Lawrie also had a good day, signing for a two-under 69 after four birdies and two bogeys to lie on six under and in a share of sixth place.

Joint third on seven under are Spain's Alejandro Canizares, Frenchman Jean-Francois Lucquin and Argentina's Juan Abbate.

This week's event attracted only one of Nick Faldo's Ryder Cup team, and Miguel Angel Jimenez is also the only member of the world's top-50 taking part.

McIlroy's first year on the circuit has taken him to Hong Kong, Australia, South Africa, the Middle East, Malaysia, Korea and China, but closer to home is where he has done his best work so far.

After his lowest round as a pro - by three - in the opening round it was inevitable he could not completely switch off back at his hotel, where he ended up watching American football deep into the night.

"I just want to take it one step at a time, but I caught myself thinking about it last night and put the tennis on to take my mind off it," he said.

"Then I had to get up for a drink at about 4am and the New York Giants were playing the Washington Redskins, so I watched a bit of that."

He was prepared for the fact he could not reproduce his opening day fireworks.

"It's always difficult to follow up such a low round with another one. I've learnt that before. You rarely see someone shoot 63-64, so that 71 was a pretty good effort."

He would be the third youngest winner in Tour history if he does take the first prize, just five days older than Ballesteros was at the 1976 Dutch Open. Dale Hayes holds the record, with the South African aged only 18 when he lifted the 1971 Spanish Open.

Rumford could also be linked to Ballesteros on Sunday. The Spanish star was the last player to make a successful defence of the title in 1978.

All seven Asian players competing at Crans-sur-Sierre had their struggles, but things might be different next year.

In a groundbreaking move it was announced that the tournament is to be co-sanctioned with the Asian Tour, with 30 of the 156-strong field coming from their ranking list.

"It's the perfect time to be introducing the golfers playing there to the international stage," said Omega president Stephen Urquhart.

There will inevitably be some European players, especially those who could miss out, unhappy at the development, but the Tour now sails into foreign waters on a regular basis, and Keith Waters, the director of international policy, said: "It is timely and appropriate for us to support Omega's request to co-sanction this historic event.

"It's been a big decision, but we've spoken to our tournament (players) committee and it has generally been accepted and understood."