Early start suits Ferrie

US PGA TOUR:    England's Kenny Ferrie claimed the early clubhouse lead at the Mayakoba Golf Classic at Riviera Maya-Cancun in Mexico, despite shooting a two-over-par 72 for a halfway total of three-under-par 137. 

Ferrie was one clear of American Cameron Beckman and Australian Michael Sim.

John Daly shot 73 for 139, the same mark as Kevin Streelman and Matt Jones.

ASIAN TOUR: New Zealand's Mark Brown produced a superb, five-under-par 67 in blustery conditions to grab the sole third round lead at the inaugural Sail Open at the Jaypee Greens course in Noida, India.

On a day when many challengers were blown off course, Brown surged ahead with his 11-under-par 205 aggregate and leads by one shot from Australian Scott Hend, who carded a 69, and Asian Tour rookie Rhys Davies of Wales, who fired a fine 67.

SUNSHINE TOUR: Louis Oosthuizen's love affair with the Woodmead course at Country Club Johannesburg continued during the second round of Telkom PGA Championship as the Mossel Bay pro pulled clear of the field heading into the weekend.

Oosthuizen moved to 15-under-par 129 and was seven strokes ahead of his nearest challenger, Bellville's Jake Roos, when the siren ended play for the day due to failing light.

Five players, including reigning SAA Open champion James Kingston, 2005 champion Warren Abery and Johnnie Walker Classic winner Anton Haig are a shot further back on eight-under-par while Soweto Country Club's Thabang Simon shot the second lowest round of the day, a 64, to finish alone at seven-under-par.

Charl Schwartzel and James Kamte, two of the pre-tournament favourites who were able to complete their rounds, failed to live up expectations. Schwartzel signed for a 74 to be on 143, while Kamte was flirting with the cut following a 74 for 144. Play was suspended early in the afternoon due to lightning and will resume this morning.

PORTUGUESE AMATEUR: Local Pedro Figueiredo added a second round 69 for a five-under-par 139 total and a one-shot lead over Sweden's Mattias Nordqvist, who shot 71, with first round leader England's Gary Wolstenhome a shot further back on 141.

Cian Curley is best of the Irish on 148 after a second round 74. Pat Murray is on 149 after a 71 with Niall Kearney on 150 after a 74. Paul Cutler slipped back with a 79 for 151, the same mark as Paul O'Hanlon.

© 2008 The Irish Times

This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times