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Lundberg opens three shot lead

European Tour rookie Mikael Lundberg fired a seven-under 65 on Friday to grab a three-shot lead at 12-under 132 at the halfway stage of the European Open at The K Club.

Ian Woosnam and Henrik Bjornstad share second place at nine-under par while Darren Clarke stands alone in fourth at minus-eight.

Hometown favorite Padraig Harrington, first-round co-leader Michael Campbell and England's Paul Casey are knotted in fifth at seven-under 137.

Lundberg, one of five co-leaders after the first round, flew to a commanding lead with a big finish. He birdied his final four holes on Friday to post his seven-under score, which matched his lowest score in relation to par on tour, as he notched a pair of 64s in Singapore this year.

"This is the best position I've been in," said Lundberg, who is in the lead for the first time on tour. "I was in the last group in the final round at Singapore. Hopefully I can shoot in the 60s in both rounds and then see what that's going to finish."

Lundberg posted eight birdies Friday to go along with one bogey. He holed two 25-foot birdie putts and two 12-footers to get into position to become the third Swede to win this title, joining Per-Ulrik Johansson and Mathias Gronberg.

Woosnam, winless on the European Tour since 1997, was the opposite of Lundberg as he opened with six birdies in his first nine holes. The Welshman was steady on the back with one birdie and eight pars for a six- under 66.

Woosnam is slated to be Sam Torrance's assistant captain at this year's Ryder Cup matches but he admitted that maybe his place could be on the team.

"I'm still trying my best to get into the Ryder Cup team and if I can win a tournament like this I'm in with a chance," said Woosnam, who has 28 career European Tour victories. "His 65 is a hell of a round so he is obviously a good player though."

Bjornstad struggled with nerves on the front nine but still walked away with all pars. He calmed down on the back with four birdies for a flawless 68.

Gronberg and Massimo Scarpa share eighth at six-under while reigning U.S. Open champion Retief Goosen headlines a group one shot behind.

Last week's winner Colin Montgomerie posted an even-par 72 and is tied for 15th, eight shots back.

Defending champion Lee Westwood followed his one-under 71 on Thursday with a 74 on Friday and barely made the 36-hole cut which fell at one-over 145. Among the notable players who failed to qualify for the weekend are: Torrance, Paul McGinley and Jose Maria Olazabal, who has now missed his last two cuts on the European Tour.

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