Donald leads after setting course record

Britain's Luke Donald set sail for a first title in only his ninth European Tour event as a professional when he took a one-shot lead in the Scandinavian Masters on Friday, breaking the course record.

Donald's flawless seven-under-par 65, one better than the record, took him to 10-under-par 134, a stroke ahead of surprise Swedish contender Wilhelm Schauman, a last-minute reserve.

A Ryder Cup place gives 26-year-old Donald, who plays mainly on the U.S. Tour and lies 29th on the American money-list with $1.4 million, an even greater goal.

He is 15th on Europe's Ryder Cup world points list, with the top five gaining automatic selection.

While he will have to achieve something spectacular to claim his Ryder Cup place by right, he is hoping to catch the eye of European captain Bernhard Langer for a wild card.

"Right now I'm outside automatic selection but if I can sneak a win, obviously it's going to get Bernhard Langer's attention," said Donald after collecting seven birdies, including a chip-in from the fringe three holes from home.

"I've got that in the back of my mind.

"I've had a good year in America and it's nice to come over to Europe and play some good golf to remind everyone I still am a European."

Donald, twice a winning Walker Cup amateur against the U.S., is keen to compete against the Americans professionally now.

"I'd be disappointed if I didn't get in," he added. "I'm pretty close, I think, and I'm giving it my best shot."

Schauman's 67 caught an enthusiastic home gallery's imagination as they look for a Swedish winner this weekend.

The 24-year-old Arizona-based Swede, who turned professional in March and plays on the third-ranked Hooters Tour, was a late entrant after wild card Colombian Camilo Villegas could not get to Malmo when his passport was lost.

This year's Madeira Island Open winner Christopher Hanell and Irishman Paul McGinley are three shots off the lead.

McGinley, the player who sank the winning putt against the U.S. at The Belfry in 2002, is in a much more promising Ryder Cup position and a 266,660 points first prize this week would take him close to the top 10 who qualify automatically.

Joint overnight leaders David Howell of Britain and Sweden's Johan Edfors are a further stroke back with two more Swedes, Henrik Stenson and Peter Hanson, who had a hole in one at the short 15th.

Swede Jesper Parnevik is similarly trying to catch Langer's eye this week on a break from the U.S. Tour. He is five shots off the lead.

Colin Montgomerie, another one hoping for a wild card if he cannot make it by right to the Ryder Cup, is six off the pace.

Defending champion Adam Scott is nine shots behind.

Lee Westwood had a disappointing return to tour after finishing fourth in the British Open, missing the cut on five-over-par 149 with a 77.

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