Golf: Hjerstedt takes lead

GABRIEL HJERSTEDT, in his first season on the European Tour, yesterday took the lead after the second round of the Lyons Open with a second successive 67. The 21-year-old Swede, who was only second reserve for the tournament, finished 10 under par, one stroke clear of Scotland's Mike Miller, the displaced leader, and two ahead of the Irishman, Paul McGinley, and Frank Nobilo, from New Zealand.

Hjerstedt, who lives in Australia, played on the Japanese circuit last year, but decided to try his luck in Europe. He finished joint 13th in the Kronenbourg Open in Italy last Sunday, but was second reserve for Lyons this week. He said: 'I have to thank two players who withdrew. I don't know who they were. I'm just pleased they couldn't make it.' Hjerstedt has to finish in the top 10 at Lyons to qualify for the next event in Rome. If he wins he is exempt on the Tour for three years.

Joint second after the first round, three shots behind Miller, Hjerstedt had five birdies and no bogeys. Miller, pulling his own clubs on a trolley for the second day, held on for a 71 and a 136 aggregate, while Nobilo, who had a 67, and McGinley, 69, improved their winning chances.