Webster & Foster lead into the weekend

Britain's Steve Webster found timely form before his American debut next week in the U.S. PGA Championship to take a share of the Johnnie Walker Championship second-round lead on Friday.

Webster, whose maiden European Tour victory after nearly 10 years on tour came at the Italian Open in the spring, shot a five-under-par 67 to move to six-under-par 138 and into the lead with fellow-Briton Mark Foster.

Foster, the overnight leader, shot a 70 as he bids to ensure he has a tour card for next year after slumping to 122nd on the European money-list.

The pair are a stroke ahead of Frenchman Gregory Bourdy and another Briton, Sam Little.

Joint leader Webster got a tip from his coach Bob Torrance, father of 2002 Ryder Cup captain Sam, to improve his form a week before his appearance in New Jersey in the final major of the year.

"I've never played in America before," said Webster. "In fact the only time I've been there is to the Taylormade factory and to celebrate my 30th birthday at Las Vegas this year.

"It will be good to go to the States playing nicely.

"This is quite a good test this week because it is quite a tricky driving course and it should stand me in good stead for next week."

The tournament, which lost its star attraction and chairman Colin Montgomerie the previous day because of injury, suffered two more casualties on Friday.

Stephen Gallacher is now in danger of missing the U.S. PGA Championship, like Montgomerie, after a recurring back injury flared up again, causing him to pull out after nine holes, lying 10 over par.

Germany's Sven Struver withdrew with toothache.

Montgomerie's manager Guy Kinnings said the Scot would be seeing a specialist on Friday night and hoped to be able to give a favourable report on his bruised fingers on Saturday.

One player not feeling so much pain any more was Britain's 2004 Ryder Cup player Paul Casey.

Casey, who came out of a nightmare run of six successive missed cuts, including a withdrawal from the U.S. Open after only one round, made the weekend comfortably on level-par for two rounds following a 73.

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