Record low puts Lomas in touch

Jonahthon Lomas, of England, had the lowest round of his European Tour career yesterday to move into contention for the French Open.

Lomas, hoping to celebrate his 32nd birthday on Sunday in real style, compiled an eight-under-par 64 after grabbing birdies at five of the last six holes. The round, just one off the course record, put him one shot behind the joint leaders, Fernando Roca of Spain, the Dane Anders Hansen and Michael Campbell of New Zealand.

Lomas said: "My putting has been a real problem for me this season. But I just relaxed and it worked. I've been averaging 33 per round, but today I had only 25."

Lomas does not need to tell Colin Montgomerie about putting problems, but the European No 1 put his torments on the greens of recent weeks behind him when he moved to within five shots of the lead, at four under, with five holes to play. But lightning held up the Scotsman's charge as theorganisers cleared the course until the storm passed over.

Meanwhile, a seven at the 18th brought back horrible memories for Jean Van de Velde. Ten months after blowing the Open at Carnoustie with a triple-bogey at the final hole, Van de Velde's hopes of winning his national title also suffered a major setback. This time it came in the second round and was only a double-bogey, but instead of being three behind, the 33-year-old Frenchman dropped five adrift.

Off a perfect drive Van de Velde went for the green with his second - he had little option this time - but failed to carry the guarding lake by several yards. Then with his second ball he left his pitch 45 feet short and three-putted. Van de Velde's Ryder Cup team-mate Andrew Coltart went to the turn in 32 on his way to a 68 a share of fifth place. Coltart had birdies at three of the first four holes and then had another on the long ninth.

The overnight leader Alberto Binaghi, called into the event only on Tuesday, managed only 38 for the back nine and dropped to four under. Forced to wait an extra 95 minutes to resume yesterday morning because of fog, the Italian's opening shot was hooked into water and he took a double-bogey.

Playing behind, Seve Ballesteros hooked even more wildly, but carried the lake and landed on the ninth fairway almost 100 yards away from his intended target. From there, however, Ballesteros pitched to three feet for a birdie. At one-under in the clubhouse, Ballesteros looked likely to survive his first cut since October.

NOVOTEL PERRIER FRENCH OPEN (Le Golf National, Paris): Early second-round scores (GB or Irl unless stated): 135 A Hansen (Den) 70 65; F Roca (Sp) 67 68. 136 J Lomas 72 64; M Campbell (NZ) 70 66. 137 A Coltart 69 68; R Davis (Aus) 69 68.139 N O'Hern (Aus) 69 70; S Tinning (Den) 69 70; A Binaghi (It) 66 73; S Kjeldsen (Den) 70 69, R Wessels (SA) 69 70. 140 E Romero (Arg) 73 67; P Lonard (Aus) 70 70; S Struver (Ger) 73 67; D Park 71 69; J Senden (Aus) 73 67; R Winchester 69 71. 141 M Mackenzie 73 68. 142 S Hansen (Den) 68 74; G Owen 70 72; S Luna (Sp) 72 70; N Joakimides (Fr) 73 69; J Van de Velde (Fr) 68 74; J Spence 73 69; R Coles 74 68; B Dredge 71 71; D Gilford 73 69. 143 S Delagrange (Fr) 73 70; M Gronnberg (Swe) 71 72; R Karlsson (Swe) 71 72; S Ballesteros (Sp) 72 71; A Wall 71 72; R Claydon 72 71; P O'Malley (Aus) 68 75, P Golding 73 70; G Hamerton 71 72; G Rojas (Arg) 70 73.