Sun shines on Gonzalez

The latest product of the Argentinian caddie club today upstaged those attempting to scoop Ryder Cup qualifying points at the Dutch Open this week. Ricardo Gonzalez leads a tournament at the half-way stage for the first time in his career after a second-round 65 put him a shot clear of the field.

Following in the footsteps of his fellow ex-bag carriers who have tried their luck as professionals, Eduardo Romero, Angel Cabrera and Jose Coceres, Gonzalez may reflect that they have all gone on to claim titles.

Like his compatriots, Gonzalez uses golf to provide for his large family; he has five siblings back in South America and has had plenty of occasions to send back money in a successful 2001 that has brought four top-10 finishes.

He is in a good position to reap an even greater return from this event, though, and puts his 10-under-par score at the half-way mark down to French psychologist Jean Paul.

The New Zealander Greg Turner, who is threatening to boycott the Open in his homeland because of inflated ticket prices, matched Gonzalez's score for the round to reach the cut at nine under.

While Gonzalez and Turner, who did not drop a shot, strolled around in brilliant sunshine, the afternoon groups were forced to sidestep a smattering of heavy showers.

Bernhard Langer, one of the early starters, carded a four-under-par 67 in his quest to gather enough points to break into the automatic Ryder Cup standings from his current 14th.

Andrew Coltart moved from five under to seven under in negotiating the rain and Darren Clarke – looking to finish the year on top of the European Order of Merit – fired a damp 70.

Both were outshone by another Ryder hopeful, Paul McGinley, who came home in just 30 to make the cut at one under, after his 40 on the front nine had threatened him with an early return home.

Going home early is Lee Westwood, champion here two years ago, who crashed to a 76 and eight over for the tournament with a glut of bogeys and double bogeys, missing the cut for the fourth time in six events.

In contrast, team-mate Padraig Harrington cruised to eight under to finish level with four others in joint-third. That group also includes Scot Dean Robertson and Peter Baker.

Meanwhile, local amateur Niels Boysen, the overnight leader, hit catastrophe at the 13th to slip back into the chasing pack.