Rumford on course for big day

Brett Rumford remains on course to fulfil his best-man duties after holding on to the lead in the St Omer Open here yesterday. The Australian is desperate to secure his card for next season to avoid a return to the European Tour qualifying school in November as it clashes with his brother's wedding.

The 25-year-old continued to head the chase for the £46,000 first prize and more valuable one-year exemption at the halfway stage in northern France.

Rumford added a second round 70 to his opening course record 64 for an eight-under-par total of 134, one shot ahead of Spain's Alvaro Salto who returned a 67.

Rumford looked set to follow in the footsteps of compatriots Adam Scott and Aaron Baddeley when he won the Australian Tour Players' Championship in 1999 while still an amateur. He then finished 57th on the Order of Merit in 2001, but lost his card last year and failed to regain it by a single shot at the qualifying school in November.

He cited the loss of his brother Mitch as his caddie as one of the reasons for his poor form, and thought Mitch's claim that he had "met a girl" was an excuse.

"It turns out it was a bit more serious than I thought because they've got engaged and the wedding is in November, so the plan is to get my card so I can go back and be his best man," he said.

The Welshman Garry Houston was two shots behind Salto in third place, with the former Ryder Cup player Paul Broadhurst among those a stroke further back after a second consecutive 69.

ST Omer Open: Leading second-round scores (GB or Irl unless stated): 134 B Rumford (Aus) 64 70. 135 A Salto (Sp) 68 67. 137 G Houston 68 69. 138 P Hanson (Swe) 69 69; P Broadhurst 69 69; S Branger (Fr) 69 69; M Kirk (SA) 69 69. 139 M Eliasson (Swe) 66 73; B Mason 70 69; S Little 71 68; M Erlandsson (Swe) 70 69; M Reale (It) 70 69; C Montaserio (Arg) 66 73. 140 F Bisazza (It) 68 72; L Alexandre (Fr) 70 70; M Sanders 70 70. 141 M Archer 70 71; E Simsek (Ger) 71 70; P Golding 74 67; L Parsons (Aus) 72 69; R Coles 70 71; M Fraser (Aus) 70 71; M Bernardini (It) 70 71; M Pendaries (Fr) 69 72; G Baruffaldi (It) 70 71; T Moore (SA) 71 70; S Bebb 69 72.