Donald & Runford share halfway lead

European Ryder Cup player Luke Donald birdied the final hole for a second-round 65 Friday to tie Brett Rumford for a share of the lead in the BMW International Open.

Chasing his first title of the year, Donald missed a 20-foot eagle attempt on the final hole that would have given him the outright lead. Instead he made birdie to drop to 7 under on the day and 12 under for the tournament.

Rumford, the only Australian to win on the European tour last season, carded a 67.

Angel Cabrera of Argentina and Englishman Simon Khan were a stroke back at 11-under 133. Cabrera shot a 68 and Khan had a 65. Nine other players were within three strokes of the lead.

Donald had a bogey-free round with five birdies at the $2.5 million event.

``It was just one of those fun days. I hardly had any trouble at all,'' Donald said. ``I've shared the lead after the second round for two straight weeks, so obviously the game is good.''

The Chicago-based Englishman tied for sixth at the NEC Invitational Sunday, three strokes behind Tiger Woods.

Rumford is trying to end a bad slump. He failed to qualify for the British Open, missed three cuts and pulled out of another tournament. Following that, he went home for two weeks and visited a psychologist.

``They just simplify things and you can go out there and play with a clear mind,'' Rumford said. ``Whether it is mental, physical or technique, you have to keep working on that one percent to try and get the edge on your opponents.''

The 28-year-old Aussie recorded six birdies -- tapping most in from short range after strong approach shots at the Nord-Eichenried course.

Another European Ryder Cup player, David Howell, was two strokes back after a 68. He was tied with Robert-Jan Derksen (69), Bradley Dredge (67) and Ricardo Gonzalez (67) at 10-under 134.

Howell is returning from a two-month break after a freak stomach injury, which he said resulted from experimenting with a 25-pound 3-iron.

``I don't think that happens to golfers too often,'' Howell said. ``But maybe my swing is better than it was before the accident, so maybe it was a good thing.''

Five players were three behind at 9-under 135: David Carter (68), David Erlandsson (65), Stephen Gallacher (66), Jonathan Lomas (66) and Ian Poulter (69).

John Daly, the 2001 champion, was five behind after a 69.

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