Europe's Ryder Cup captain Ian Woosnam fired a six-under-par 66 at Tolcinasco this afternoon to move within two strokes of the early Italian Open lead.

Brazilian tour rookie Alexandre Rocha, leads the field by one on 10-under-par 132 after also carding a 66 for the second round.

Woosnam produced a flawless card containing six birdies but although, at the age of 48, he has proved he is still a strong contender, the Welshman has no thoughts of being a playing-captain in the September match, unlike American counterpart Tom  Lehman.

"I suppose if I won the Open I'd be in a position to qualify but I wouldn't even think about it," Woosnam told reporters. "I'm staying captain and I won't be playing. I'm not fit enough to do it, anyway. I'm just trying to earn a crust."

Mississippi State University graduate Rocha is one shot in front of rehabilitating Sven Struver of Germany (65), Sebastian Fernandez of Argentina (67) and Australia's Peter Fowler (67).

He said he was adapting quickly to the European Tour after four years on the Canadian tour and was hungry for success.

"I'm a rookie so if you were to tell me 'you are going to finish in the top five,' I would be satisfied but I have an appetite and I very much want to win this event."

Struver's fortunes have dipped since he won three European Tour titles and the German is now playing on occasional invitations. He trained with the Hamburg SV football team to prepare for knee surgery in March and is using Annika Sorenstam's fitness coach Kai Fusser to augment a heavy practice schedule at his Florida base as he attempts to regain his card.

The four Irish players in the field are all in danger of missing the cut, currently projected to fall at three-under. David Higgins is the leading challenger at level par.