Print this page  |  Close Window

MILAN, Italy -- Andrew McLardy of South Africa shot his second straight 7-under-par 65 and took the lead at the Telecom Italia Open, which was reduced to 54 holes after play was cut short Saturday because of lightning.

McLardy is at 14-under 130 after 36 holes. Nick Dougherty (64) is a stroke behind, followed by Joakim Backstrom (70), Markus Brier (69) and Alvaro Quiros (67) at 132. More than 10 hours of play have been lost since the tournament began because of torrential rain.

Backstrom shot a course-record 62 Thursday but didn't play a hole Friday because of rain. He dropped shots on the sixth and 18th holes in the second round.

McLardy, who resumed his rain-delayed second round at 7 under after five holes, had six birdies on the back nine. Dougherty, a protege of six-time major champion Nick Faldo, matched his lowest European Tour score with the day's best round of 64.

Quiros eagled the 513-yard ninth. Brier, who shot a 63 Thursday, had five birdies and two bogeys.

Defending champion Francesco Molinari (69) is 8 under while Tom Lehman (68), last year's American Ryder Cup captain, is 6 under. Lehman is playing his first Italian Open on a special invitation.

McLardy could have a first European Tour win to celebrate along with the birth of his first child this month. The 33-year-old, second in Madeira in 2005 and at the Joburg Open in January, heads home next week to await the arrival of his baby daughter on May 24.

"Six in the morning, C-section," said McLardy matter-of-factly. "It's my wife's choice. In South Africa it seems to be the fashion, and all her friends seem to have it."

The players had to wait an extra 90 minutes to resume the second round Saturday morning. Then, just after Dougherty had finished, play was suspended yet again at 4:40 p.m. because of the danger of lightning.

McLardy, actually born in Zimbabwe of Scottish parents, birdied seven of the last 10 holes, while Dougherty played the same stretch in six under. Quiros, meanwhile, finished his 67 with a massive drive and towering 8-iron to seven feet for an eagle on the 513-yard ninth.

"He's the best player I've played with out here," said playing partner David Lynn. "So impressive."

Winner last December of the Alfred Dunhill Championship in South Africa -- just the fifth European Tour event of his life and his first as a full member -- Quiros leads the Tour's driving distance statistics this year with an average of 311.2 yards, three less than America's biggest hitter Bubba Watson.

"My arms are like legs," he said, spreading them out like wings. "My swing is high speed, but sometimes it's a great problem. Under pressure it's not easy to control."

Indeed, he ranks only 159th out of 191 in driving accuracy, but when it is working well it is a huge advantage, especially on a course as wet as this week's.

Copyright 2007 Associated Press and PA Sport. All rights reserved.