Birthday boy Park leads by 2

After first forgetting it was his birthday, David Park made his celebrations unforgettable by storming to the top of the leaderboard on the second day of the Compaq European Grand Prix.

The Welsh rookie, who astonished the golfing world when on his European Tour debut last weekend he finished second after a play-off with Spain's Miguel Angel Martin in the Moroccan Open, ended the day 12 under par and equalled the course record of 65.

Park woke up on Friday morning and immediately switched on the television in his room. The 25-year-old said: "I was sitting on my bed eating my cornflakes watching the news and tennis when this announcer said, 'It's 7.26am on such-and-such a date'. I thought, 'That sounds familiar', and remembering why, immediately wished myself a happy birthday."

The early congratulations completed, Park travelled over to De Vere Slaley Hall to put on a performance that had his rivals marvelling at the confidence he was displaying in his sixth round on the European Tour.

Apart from a bogey at the deceptively tricky 13th - the only one on which he dropped a shot on the opening day - eight birdies brought him home with an aggregate score of 132.

Park said his total would have been better but for a couple of average putts. "I hit the ball really well today and I feel you just improve the more you play from the experience you get off tournament golf," said the London-born son of Welsh parents.

Park, who played in the same Walker Cup team as Justin Rose in 1997 and turned professional last year, finished his round with a glorious 25-foot putt with his three-iron which curved into the hole.

The Hereford-based player, who finished 29th in last year's European Challenge Order of Merit admitted his performance wasn't expected.

He said: "I'm just trying to play my own game. I went to Morocco with little expectation and to try and enjoy myself. All you can do is try and play your best, and if that isn't good enough so be it.

"I had a month in Florida before the season started, and that's been very useful. I went to Augusta and met up with an old college team-mate.

"To be honest, I am a little surprised with the way I've played recently although I've been happy with my form on the Challenge Tour."

As delighted as Park has been with his extraordinary performance, probably the happiest man in the clubhouse after the cut was set at level par was Rose.

It meant on Saturday he will play his first third round on the European Tour after making his debut in the Dutch Open a week after that outstanding fourth place in last year's Open.

The first day's leader, David Carter, finished two strokes down on Park after a second round of 69. Last year's European Masters champion Sven Struver was on eight under, while Peter Mitchell, who along with David Gilford also equalled the course record, was on seven under.

On Thursday, almost 7,000 spectators flocked to the Northumberland venue. Even more are expected for the final two days after Darren Clarke and Seve Ballesteros on three under plus Lee Westwood on two under all made the cut. Bernhard Langer and Sandy Lyle were eliminated.