Prom surges to second after birdie blitz

Peter Whiteford followed his opening 66 with a second-round 68 yesterday to open up a two-shot lead at the Avantha Masters as the Scot chases his maiden European Tour title.

Sharing the lead with Spaniard Alejandro Canizares overnight, Whiteford moved to 10 under at the halfway stage with six birdies, three bogeys and an eagle three on the long sixth at DLF Golf & Country Club.

The 31-year-old leads by two from Thailand's Prom Meesawat, who birdied five of the last six holes in his best-of-the-week 64.

France's Jean-Batiste Gonnet compiled a 69 to sit third on seven under, one ahead of compatriot Gregory Havret, Welshman Jamie Donaldson, Dane Soren Hansen, Australian Marcus Fraser and Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee.

Canizares posted three bogeys on the back nine in a one over 73 to slip to five under, along with Jbe Kruger, Jamie Moul, 2010 winner Andrew Dodt and Marc Warren.

Whiteford was only one under for his outward nine, but curled in a 20-foot birdie putt at the fourth, sunk a 30-foot eagle putt and birdied the short eighth for good measure.

"I had a sticky patch at the start - it was freezing cold this morning and it's a lot harder," said Whiteford.

"But once it warmed up a bit I started to play a bit better and gave myself a few chances. I had a good eagle on the sixth which kick-started me a bit to finish well. I hit driver and a six iron and then holed a good putt, about 30 feet across the slope.

"I wouldn't say the swing feels brilliant, but sometimes that's when you play your best golf, when you're struggling a wee bit. I just need to concentrate - to be 10 under is very good, but I wouldn't say I'm overly confident. I just need a good round tomorrow to be in contention come Sunday."

American John Daly withdrew after suffering an elbow injury during his first round of 7-over 79. The 45-year-old posted a photo on his Twitter page with his right arm in a cast, saying "no bones are broken, possible torn ligaments".