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Rising star McIlroy grabs share of lead in Switzerland

05/09/2008

Rising star Rory McIlroy is joint leader at the halfway stage of the European Masters in Switzerland.

The 19-year-old carded 71 to lie on eight-under par with defending champion Brett Rumford (67) at Crans-sur-Sierre.

McIlroy and Rumford are one stroke ahead of Argentine Juan Abbate (67), Spaniard Alejandro Canizares (68) and France's Jean-Francois Lucquin (67).

Miguel Angel Jimenez, the only Ryder Cup player involved, is among a group of players on five-under.

McIlroy is aiming to be the youngest European Tour winner since Seve Ballesteros in 1976.

The Northern Ireland star, who carded 63 in his opening round, said he stayed up late watching TV to take his mind off golf.

"I just want to take it one step at a time, but I caught myself thinking about it last night and put the tennis on to take my mind off it," McIlroy said.

"It's always difficult following a low round. My iron play was not as good as yesterday and I holed a lot of par putts on the back nine to keep me going, so a 71 was pretty good.

"Some of the pins were extremely tricky and it was difficult to get to them. On those holes you just had to take your par and go to the next. It really tests your patience."

Meanwhile, 17-year-old American Tadd Fujikawa missed the cut after going round in 72 to finish three-over.