Eight Scots make cut as Wood leads in Majorca

PAUL Lawrie, bidding for his second success of the season, spearheads an eight-strong Scottish contingent heading into the final two rounds of the Iberdrola Open.

Englishman Chris Wood claimed a three-stroke advantage in Majorca as British and Irish golfers dominated the upper reaches of the leaderboard at the halfway stage.

The 23-year-old, who burst onto the scene with a fifth-place finish as an amateur at the Open in 2008, added a five-under 65 to his opening 67 to lead by three from fellow Englishman Matthew Nixon and Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke.

Wood carded six birdies yesterday and was on course to lead by four until a bogey at the par-4 16th knocked him back a stroke. His closest challengers, Clarke and Nixon, were both level yesterday to sit five-under overall.

For Clarke it was a major recovery after a double bogey at the third and a further dropped shot at the ninth saw him go out in 38, three-over-par, but for European Tour rookie Nixon there was frustration with a double at the 18th.

Lawrie, winner of the Andalucian Open in March, shot a 69 to sit in a tie for sixth on three-under, one ahead of Scott Jamieson, who dropped three shots in his last four holes in a 71.

David Drysdale (71) is 12th, Alastair Forsyth (72) 20th and Chris Doak (70) 25th. Lloyd Saltman (69) and brother Elliot (74) are also in the top 30, with Peter Whiteford (70) making the cut as well.

For overnight leader Gregory Bourdy, yesterday was as bad as Thursday was good. After taking control with a course-record seven-under-par 63, the Frenchman slumped to a 77 and finished the day tied for 20th.