CONDITIONS were more benign yesterday after the 156-strong field had been buffeted during the first round of the Wales Open.
The improvement in the weather was not reflected in the general scoring however, with only 11 players better than par at halfway suggesting that the Ryder Cup venue is, indeed, one of the tougher tracks on the European Tour's circuit.
However, there were exceptions and Frenchman Raphael Jacquelin and England's Ross Fisher offered proof that it is possible to score well on the course.
Jacquelin's best-of-the-day 65 eclipsed Fisher's effort by one, but it was the latter who prevailed to take a two-shot lead into the weekend at six-under-par, ahead of his compatriot Lee Slattery, who carded a more modest 71.
It made a welcome change for Fisher, who has not enjoyed the best of times since the events of October 2010 when he celebrated victory over the US as a member of Colin Montgomerie's team.
A return to the scene of Europe's triumph appears to have provided the inspiration for the 31-year-old to rediscover the form that has won him four Tour titles, the last of them the Irish Open two years ago.
But Fisher, who achieved a world ranking of No.17 in November 2009, needs to quickly improve his standing on the money-list, where he currently languishes in 109th, if he is to make this year's team.
He said: "The Ryder Cup was a great experience and you feed off fond memories in a positive manner but the Ryder Cup is a big outside goal at the moment, because I've got to play damn well to get on the team and I haven't given myself the best opportunity so far. But once you've played in one, you don't want to miss out."
Paul Lawrie returned to form with a 69 to sit seven off the pace after a session on the range to sort out his swing.
"I played well and hit the ball better," said Lawrie. "Mind you, that would not have been difficult. Yesterday was just awful the way I drove the ball and that was unusual the way I have been playing recently.
"But I know my own swing and that was easy enough to fix. It only took me half-an-hour to sort it out."
Fellow Aberdonian Richie Ramsay, Marc Warren, Gary Orr, Scott Jamieson, Peter Whiteford, Craig Lee and Ted Innes Ker departed having failed to beat the cut mark of five-over but Montgomerie David Drysdale, Stephen Gallacher, George Murray and top Scot Steven O'Hara, in a share of 12th on level par following a 72, made it along with Lawrie.
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