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Garrido smashes course record to lead in Spanish Open

02/05/2008

Home favourite Ignacio Garrido fired a course record of 63 to take a four-stroke lead at the halfway stage of the Spanish Open.

The 36-year-old, who carded 66 in his opening round, sunk nine birdies to lie on 15-under.

Sweden's Martin Erlandsson lies in second place on 11-under after going round in 68.

England's Anthony Wall (66) is on seven-under while Darren Clarke is 12 off the lead on three-under.

Colin Montgomerie narrowly survived the cut on one-under in his first tournament for five weeks.

But Garrido, a member of Europe's 1999 Ryder Cup team, stole the show starting with a birdie at the tenth hole.

The Spaniard then had three more birdies in a row from the 12th, followed up by a 20-foot putt on the 16th.

He birdied four of his last eight holes to break the course record by one shot, to boost his chances of matching his father Antonio who won the Spanish Open in 1972.

Garrido, who has missed the cut in his last seven tournaments, said he is desperate to keep his European Tour career alive.

"For two days it's probably the best I've ever played," Garrido said.

"I thought I couldn't play better than yesterday, but obviously I could.

"It is a dream to do it here. I think for any player the most important tournament after a major is their own national championship.

"This is a great golf course but it’s also very demanding – you can’t afford to lose concentration for a minute. The mental side of my game has been good."