Broadhurst vaults to top of leaderboard

Paul Broadhurst was given the go-ahead by his wife to play this week's Madrid Open after the birth of their son a month ago -- providing he did well -- and he responded by taking the second-round early lead on Friday.

The former Ryder Cup player fired a six-under-par 65 to move to 10-under-par (132), two strokes ahead of fellow-Briton Graeme McDowell, who continued his rich vein of form with a 64, and Dane Anders Sorensen (66).

Englishman Broadhurst, who was unbeaten when he played in Europe's losing Ryder Cup team at Kiawah Island in 1991, has come back from a career-threatening wrist injury in Dubai in 2000 and is enjoying his best season since.

But despite qualifying for his first Volvo Masters since 1999 next week, there was some doubt whether he could squeeze in a warm-up for the elite Valderrama event with baby son Aaron now on the scene.

"I didn't want to miss this week because it's important to have tournament play before Valderrama," said 39-year-old Broadhurst.

"But my wife Lorraine has had a few complications after the birth and I could easily have stayed at home.

"She told me I could come here but only if I was going to do well. I've done that now."

Seven birdies, with one to round off his day, put Broadhurst in line for his fifth European Tour victory and first since 1995, a far cry from his struggles of 2001 and 2002 when he had to go back to tour school.

In that respect, he had thoughts for his great friend Peter Baker, another ex-Ryder Cup man who is trying to avoid losing his card for the first time.

"I just hope he makes it," added the leader. "He's my best mate and I wish him all the best. If he can only make the cut I think he could be all right."

Baker had an afternoon round in which to bounce back from his opening 73 and qualify for the weekend, in his bid to move into the top 115 place from his current 121st in the last event to count for his card.

While Italian Open champion McDowell bids to improve on his second place last-time-out in the Dunhill Links Championship, Hansen is seriously threatening for a title for the first time since winning the 2002 Volvo PGA Championship.

Britain's Jamie Spence, another long-time Tour regular, strengthened his chances of keeping his tour card by shooting a 66 that left him only five strokes off the pace.

First-round leader Julien Clement of Switzerland, who had a 64, was due to tee off in the afternoon.

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