Golf: Mitchell has momentum

PETER MITCHELL'S desire to kick-start his season at the Extremadura Open in Badajoz gained momentum yesterday when he shot a second successive 69 to take the half- way lead.

The 35-year-old Briton, who missed the cut in the only two tournaments he played before going to Spain, was six under par on 138. He sank a 10-foot putt for his first birdie of the day at the long first hole, chipped in from 35 feet for another at the short second, sank a 15 footer at the fifth and hit the long seventh in two shots.

The Italian Giuseppe Cali, who had a second-round 68, is one shot behind and among a pack of four who trail by two shots is Lee Westwood. The 20- year-old from Worksop is rapidly making a name for himself on the European Tour. He turned professional only in November and he has never missed the cut in five tournaments.

Westwood, who shot 72, had birdies at the sixth, seventh, 14th and 17th holes, and had he not three putted the 12th and 18th, he would have finished the day as the joint leader with Mitchell.