England's Garbutt chases Lindgren

England's Ian Garbutt set his sights on following in the footsteps of his illustrious stablemates after the second round of the Turespana Masters.

The 26-year-old from Doncaster was just one shot off the lead after a second successive 67 left him on target for a first ever European tour victory.

Six birdies and just one bogey gave him a 10-under total of 134 - his best ever two round score - and he finished alongside Scotland's Gary Orr, Exeter's Roger Winchester and Swede Per-Ulrik Johansson in a four-way tie for second, one stroke behind clubhouse leader Fredrik Lindgren of Sweden.

Garbutt is one of the ever expanding group of players who belong to the International Sport Management Group run by former pro Chubby Chandler.

And he admitted to being inspired by the exploits of stablemates Darren Clarke, Lee Westwood and Order of Merit leader David Howell as he chases a long overdue tournament victory.

"There's a good feeling in the stable and it's good to see the other guys doing so well," said Garbutt, a former English Amateur Champion.

"I've never really come close to winning a tournament but I'm getting nearer and if I keep playing each weekend I'm going to give myself a chance.

"I've gained some valuable experience over the last couple of years and Chubby gives us plenty of advice."

It was a piece of advice from coach Pete Cowen however that proved the key this week, a putting tip helping Garbutt shoot four birdies in a row from the 14th, and it could have been even better but for a putt that horseshoed round the hole on the 1st.

As big names Seve Ballesteros and Darren Clarke crashed out, the Spaniard in the most embarrassing fashion in his 25th year on tour, the lesser lights grabbed the spotlight.

Orr was more than happy with his display with just one bogey in two rounds also giving him a good chance of a first tour win.

"Normally I do have a few birdies but throw in a few silly mistakes as well," said the 31-year-old from Helensburgh, who finished second behind Colin Montgomerie in the Volvo PGA Championship last year.

"I've only had one bogey in two days and that's right up my street. It was really cold for the first six holes but the wind dropped and after that it was perfect."

Even the perfect conditions and the support of an adoring home crowd couldn't help Ballesteros make his first cut of the year as he blew his chances in amazing style.

The 41-year-old five time major winner, celebrating his 25th year on tour, saw a birdie putt lip out on the 16th, and missed the return putt when he tried to casually hole out with the back of his putter.

The resulting bogey six ended his hopes of qualifying for the last two rounds and he finished with a 74 for a one over total of 145.

Ulsterman Clarke threatened briefly to make it for the weekend's play when two consecutive birdies got him back to level par at the turn, but two sixes on the back nine saw his hopes disappear.

The 30-year-old finished on three over to miss out by six shots as the cut fell at three under - the lowest so far this season - and was in mood to share his thoughts on his round afterwards.

Clarke was not the only big casualty of the low cut with local favourites Jose Maria Olazabal and amateur star Sergio Garcia missing out by one shot as compatriot Juan Carlos Aguero, playing in the final group, claimed the 65th and last qualifying place.

Earlier Spain's Ignacio Garrido set a new course record with a nine under 63, beating the previous mark by two shots with a round that contained 11 birdies, just one less than the European Tour record.

And unknown 29-year-old Italian Marcello Santi fired eight birdies in a row to equal the European Tour record during his round of 65, although that was not good enough to make the cut.