England's Ian Poulter shook off a bout of tonsilitis to claim the halfway lead in the Moroccan Open in Rabat yesterday. Poulter fired a superb second round 67 at Dar Es Salam for an eight-under-par total of 138, two shots ahead of American Craig Hainline, who carded a 72.
Sweden's Robert Karlsson and France's Thomas Levet were another stroke adrift, with first round leader Paul McGinley, Philip Walton and Wales' David Park, runner-up in this event on his European Tour debut two years ago, among eight players on four under.
But Ireland's Paddy Gribben and Gary Murphy collapsed to 78s to earn an unwelcome weekend off.
McGinley, who opened with a 67, slipped back yesterday with a two over par 75 while Walton added another two-under-par 71 to be on the same mark of 142.
Poulter finished second in this event last year on his way to winning the Rookie of the Year title, clinching the honour with his first European Tour title at the Italian Open in Sardinia.
"One better would be acceptable," said the 25-year-old from Hertfordshire. "And I suppose anything else is unacceptable.
"You look at your results last year and want to do better this time and if I did that here it would be a fantastic result. Winning (in Sardinia) just proves you can go out and do it and nothing has really changed this season."
Poulter is still taking antibiotics to combat the tonsilitis he picked up during a four-week break from the tour, during which time he also spent six days practising with good friend Justin Rose at David Leadbetter's academy in Florida and made a visit to the Taylor Made factory to pick up a new driver.
The extra distance off the tee proved valuable around the 7,359-yard lay-out, but the putter was the real key, as he needed only 22 putts in total.
Hainline could only improve his overnight score by one shot but is more concerned with regaining the tour card he lost last year. "I gave myself a lot of 20/25footers but not enough chances, although at least I hit more greens than yesterday," Hainline said. "As for the weekend I must try not to get caught up in the leaderboard and do the best I can. You never know what can happen."
Karlsson has already finished runner-up in two separate events on this course and will be hoping it is third time lucky come tomorrow. "Messy," was the tall Swede's succinct verdict on his 71. "I didn't play well and only hit four fairways but yesterday I played great but didn't putt so well.
"That's what usually happens if you don't play for four weeks, but it's nice to be in positions and I'm going off to practice now."
Earlier in the day attention was focused on teenager Nick Dougherty as he demonstrated the enormous potential that prompted Nick Faldo to take him under his wing. The 18-year-old amateur from Lancashire carded a second round 69 to finish one under and comfortably make the cut for the first time in a professional tournament at the fourth attempt.
Dougherty has accepted invitations to play in Portugal in a fortnight and the Benson and Hedges in May at the Belfry. The Portuguese event clashes with Walker Cup squad training but he has received permission from captain Peter McEvoy to play at Quinta do Lago instead and at the moment plans to turn professional after the Walker Cup in September.
"I can't wait to turn pro," he added. "Although if I win the British Amateur it would change the whole scenario and I might hang around to play in the US Masters!"
