Van de Velde hits top form

Jean Van de Velde's effortless seven-under-par 65 in the Madeira Island Open second round today earned a share of the lead and offered fresh hope he is rebuilding his career.

The Frenchman finished alongside first-day leader Jarmo Sandelin of Sweden (68) on 10-under-par 134 after shooting an eagle and five birdies.

In joint third place on 137 were Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts, Ireland's Damien McGrane (69) and Britons Bradley Dredge (65), Garry Houston (69) and Paul Lawrie (69), who won a playoff at the 1999 British Open following Van de Velde's infamous closing triple-bogey.

Van de Velde's career nosedived after his Carnoustie debacle due to loss of form and debilitating knee problems.

After three failed comeback attempts he regained his European Tour card last year after losing out in another playoff, this time to compatriot Jean-Francois Remesy in the French Open. Van de Velde is now playing in short bursts to protect his knee as he searches for his second tour victory.

"I've been given a second chance to have a second career," the 39-year-old Frenchman told reporters. "At the beginning of last year it was my last gamble.

"I'd tried to come back three times and I was in so much pain. Then I had a hell of a lucky break in the French Open to get my card back, which allows me to play any tournament I want, and it's a new relationship with the game."

Sandelin, 38, a five-times tour winner and a team mate of Van de Velde and Lawrie at the 1999 Ryder Cup, lost his card last year for the first time.

After regaining it at tour school, he is also seeking to fashion a second career. Sandelin's only worry is he will revert back to his old aggressive style which he believes does not suit his rehabilitation process.

"I made my only bogey of the week by attacking the pin at the fourth and I need to be disciplined," said the Swede. "But when you've never been disciplined on a course before it's hard, it's like an addiction."

Lawrie, like Sandelin without a win since 2002, shot a 69 marred by a double-bogey at his eighth hole, the short 17th, when his ball plugged in a bunker.

Gary Murphy, yet again, failed to capitalise on a good start and with today's 75 dropped back to level par and only just made the cut.

Stephen Browne's level par 72 for a four over aggregate meant the Dubliner has the weekend off. Athlone's Colm Moriarty (74) was two shots further back.

David Higgins and Michael Hoey both withdrew from the event.