Lee loses Lyon lead but stays in contention

Scotland’s Craig Lee is firmly in contention at the Allianz Open de Lyon after carding a level-par 71 in the second round at Golf du Gouverneur.

The 34-year-old was unable to match the heights of his first-round 64, but at seven-under overall he is just two shots off the lead held by Frenchman Julien Quesne and one behind Italian Federico Colombo.

At 13th in the current Challenge Tour rankings with two events of the season remaining, Lee has all but guaranteed a European Tour card for next season, but he has set his sights on a place in the top ten.

His second round began poorly with a double bogey at the first, but he clawed his way back with four birdies and two bogeys – both on the more difficult back nine.

“It was not really the start I was after,” he said. “I hit my driver left, then went in a bunker and three-putted. So I was pleased to get it back to reach the turn level-par.

“I was never going to shoot any less than two or three-under today, I just wasn’t playing well enough. So I’ll take level-par and I’m glad I haven’t slipped right back. I’m still up there only two shots off the lead so there’s all to play for at the weekend.”

This is Lee’s 22nd event of the season – more than any other Challenge Tour player – and he admitted his body was feeling the strain.

“I’ve had a tight back and a problem with my neck,” he said. “My back feels okay today but my neck is pretty sore. The physio said it’ll take a couple of days to settle down so hopefully by Sunday it’ll be fine.”

Alastair Forsyth (69, 69) and Chris Doak (70, 68) are also well placed at four-under, while Raymond Russell, Callum Macaulay and Jamie McLeary also made the halfway cut.