McIlroy, Rumford share lead at European Masters

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CRANS-SUR-SIERRE, Switzerland (AP) -- Rory McIlroy shot an even-par 71 Friday to share the early clubhouse lead with defending champion Brett Rumford in the second round of the European Masters.

The 19-year-old Northern Irishman could not reproduce the form that earned him an opening 63, and Rumford caught him with a second straight 4-under 67 to finish at 8-under 134.

The pair was one stroke ahead of Juan Abbate and Jean-Francois Lucquin (both 67), and Alejandro Canizares (68). Peter Lawrie (69) was alone at 6 under, and Miguel Angel Jimenez (69), the only member of Europe's Ryder Cup team in the field, was a further stroke behind.

The sun returned to Crans-sur-Sierre on Friday after Thursday's intermittent rain.

"It was more like Wednesday's pro-am," Rumford said.

There was still a stiff wind and some tough pin positions to deal with, however.

"Some of the pins were extremely tricky and it was difficult to get to them," McIlroy said. "On those holes you just had to take your par and go to the next. It really tests your patience.

"My iron play was not quite as good yesterday but I holed a lot of good par putts to keep myself going," McIlroy added.

One of them was at the 236-yard, par-3 16th, where he holed a 12-footer to save par. He sank a 15-footer at the next.

Rumford, who is on the PGA TOUR this year, played steady golf on a course he described as being unlike anywhere else.

"This is a very unique place and golf course," he said.

Rumford has earned $350,000 on the PGA TOUR and believes he needs a minimum of $830,000 to keep his card.