Rumford holds on to halfway lead

Australia's Brett Rumford maintained his lead in the Aa St-Omer Open despite a cooler putter in the second round.

His one-under-par 70 for a total of eight-under-par 134, gave him a one-stroke lead over Spain's Alvaro Salto, with Britain's Garry Houston two strokes further back.

Rumford, who hails from Perth, broke the course record on Thursday with a flawless 64 but found the second day harder going and dropped two early shots to be tied on top of the leaderboard before he rallied to retake first place.

"It was a much different day," said the 25-year-old. "It started off a little bit scratchy.

"I missed from three feet after bunkering myself and then I three-putted. But I holed from 18 feet for birdie just before the turn and then ran in a 12-footer and turned things around a bit.

"Your expectations are higher after you've shot a 64 but the putter wasn't as hot today.

"The greens are very tricky, though, hard to get a consistent roll on, and that's why a lot of the guys are struggling."

An exemption for the rest of the year on the main tour and for 2004 is Rumford's aim in the event co-sanctioned with the Challenge Tour, which he is playing on after losing his card.

But Rumford is refusing to get ahead of himself, adding: "My goal is to post as good a score as I can tomorrow."

Salto is also trying to improve his chances of playing on the main tour again next year. He only made one cut in 15 events in 2002 but regained his card at tour school.

This year, though, he is 220th on the money list and looking for a breakthrough this week after shooting a second round 67.

The 29-year-old Madrid professional is a former Eisenhower Trophy amateur team mate of Sergio Garcia's and meets up with him at Spanish European Tour events. Now he wants success for himself in France and his old friend at the U.S. Open.

"It would be nice if we both do well this week," said Salto. "He (Sergio) is past his crisis now with his swing and he is so strong mentally. I think the U.S. Open will be good for him."

Britain's Paul Broadhurst, a Ryder Cup player in 1991 but struggling after a hand injury in 2000, made his bid to earn a one-year exemption with a second 69 that left him four strokes off the pace. South African Michael Kirk is also in this group.

Argentine Cesar Monasterio, second overnight, bogeyed the last two holes to slip to eighth, five strokes off the lead.

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