Price leads at halfway point

Phillip Price and Ian Poulter, who fought it out last season for the final place in Europe's Ryder Cup team, are first and second at the halfway stage of the Victor Chandler British Masters.

But as good as Price played for his 65 and Poulter for his 67, it was another name on the leaderboard that had the Woburn crowds talking the most on Friday.

Sandy Lyle, 10 years on from his last win, matched Price's round and goes into the third round only four strokes behind the Welshman.

It was the 44-year-old Scot's best display since a 64 in Germany in 1993 - and he admits there have been times in between when he felt like packing in the game which made him a millionaire.

Lyle, winner of the Open in 1985 and Masters three years later, said: "I've been as low as you want to be and some days you do feel like hanging your shoes up.

"But before I go in my box I'd like to win another major. If I keep hitting the ball like I am you never know - I played with Jack Nicklaus when he won the Masters at 46.

"I'm fighting a lot of gremlins of old disasters, but it's nice to be in the hunt again and I think I have a chance."

Price, though, says he will be disappointed if he does not go on to take the top prize of £208,330 on Sunday.

On the 11-under-par mark of 133 he is two strokes clear of Poulter.

Price edged out Poulter for the 10th automatic spot in Sam Torrance's side last September, but has not had a top-10 finish since and was relieved as much as anything to see his form come back.

"I've probably got a lot to prove this year," he said after birdie putts of five and nine feet at the final two holes lifted him into pole position.

"Two years ago I elevated myself to a good status and wanted to move on, but I've probably gone backwards a bit.

"I want to prove I can do my best and not shy away from being in the limelight, which sometimes is a little uncomfortable.

"The Ryder Cup is something I always wanted to do the better I'm playing the less apprehensive I'll be. I want to prove myself in that arena."

Poulter out-scored playing partner Colin Montgomerie for the second day running, but has not yet shaken off the Scot, who stands five under after a 69.

"It was a nice feeling knowing the way Colin's been playing the last few weeks (third, second, second)," stated Poulter. "If you can be a few shots in front of him going into the weekend then your golf's definitely in shape.

"I want to play with the best players all the time - it brings out the best in my game and I enjoy it more.

"I haven't played in many majors (only two actually) and getting into the top 50 in the world is the first key. I'm not in the Open yet, but if I can keep playing solid golf from now on I should be in there."

Luton's Phil Golding, handily placed at eight under following his 67, has made an amazing 15 trips to the European Tour qualifying school and his total career earnings are little more than this week's winner's cheque.

At the start of last year he thought it was make-or-break time.

"I didn't have a tour card and I was out for three months with tennis elbow. I was close to thinking I would have to find something else to do," said the 39-year-old from nearby Luton, whose best finish was sixth in the 1996 Austrian Open.

"But things then went well for me on the Challenge Tour, I got my card back and I still have the ambition.

"I don't think I would play just to fill the spaces - I want to win. And Malcolm Mackenzie doing it a few weeks ago in France (at the 509th attempt) gives you an added incentive.

"You often ask yourself why you keep playing and it gets a bit frustrating asking the same question and knocking your head against a wall.

"But I'm very lucky to do what I do - and what else would I do anyway?"

Soren Hansen, alongside Lyle on seven under, is another not to have won on tour yet, but he has been signing autographs this week for fans who think he did it last Sunday.

It was compatriot Anders Hansen who triumphed at the Volvo PGA championship and his namesake said after his 69: "People have said 'well done for last week' and I've had to say I am Soren, but thanks anyway.

"If I can make a good result then the English crowd will know the difference."

Scottish amateur champion Barry Hume, who had led after 15 holes of his first round, fell back to one under, but still survived.

Golding is third on his own after Santiago Luna, one of the two first-round leaders, bogeyed two of his last three holes to drop back to six under.

That left Lyle sharing fourth spot with Hansen and 29-year-old Essex rookie Simon Khan, another to shoot 67.

Khan finally earned a tour card at his eighth attempt last November and is 243rd on the Order of Merit. He last made a halfway cut in January.

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