Lawrie and Harrington left to fly the flag for Europe

Paul Lawrie justified his place in golf's elite yesterday when he slugged it out with the world's top golfers and left them reeling.

The 30-year-old Scot, whose Open victory at Carnoustie in July had been overshadowed by the watery exploits of France's Jean Van de Velde, proved conclusively that his first Major win was no fluke with a spectacular performance to jointly lead on five under par with Paraguay's Carlos Franco after the second round of the NEC Invitational World Golf Championship in Ohio.

Lawrie even eclipsed the much-awaited shoot-out between Tiger Woods and golf's newest sensation Sergio Garcia, who were playing together for the first time after going out last as first-round leaders.

Everyone had expected fireworks from the two young guns whose burgeoning careers promise to kindle a rivalry reminiscent of the days of Nicklaus and Palmer.

But the big showdown turned into the great let-down. And while America's Woods had dominated the first round early yesterday morning, a round which the players had to complete at 7.30 a.m. after the lightning storm of yesterday, Lawrie was the man who flew the flag for Europe in this Ryder Cup dress rehearsal.

He had started the second round three under par, a shot behind Woods and level with Garcia. But, while Woods and Garcia faltered Lawrie launched a brilliant charge which took him halfway to a $1 million. The only other European in contention was Ireland's Padraig Harrington, who clawed his way back from a disappointing first-round 72 to shoot a three-under 67 which left him back in 14th place on one under.

But for many of the Europeans the second round only compounded the nightmare of the first - Lee Westwood and Jean Van de Velde languishing on six over par.

Colin Montgomerie had another of those frustrating rounds when no putts would drop and he stood at four over after a dismal 75.

But that was nothing compared to the nightmare of Jose-Maria Olazabal, who let five shots slip in the first six holes and ended the day propping up the field at an agonising 10 over par.