Bland on top as Palmer ponders

Arnold Palmer talks to the media after second round

BBC Sport Online's John Haughey reports

Arnold Palmer was non-committal about a possible return to the Senior British Open after missing the cut at Royal County Down on Friday.

Palmer improved nine shots from his dreadful opening 84 but he still comfortably missed the 36 hole cut.

"I don't know whether I will compete here next year.

"The hospitality has been wonderful this week, the venue has been great and I can tell you that I will give it serious consideration but at the moment, I can't say yes or no".

My schedule is so heavy at the moment

  Arnold Palmer

The 71-year-old admitted that the point where he would curtail most of his tournament play was "getting close".

However, he insisted that he would "always" compete in the US Masters where he has a lifetime invitation as a former champion.

"The rest of this year will have some bearing on how much more I will play in the future.

"My schedule is so heavy at the moment with business, golf course design and a lot of other projects," said Palmer.

The golfing great said he felt "fine" after undergoing an operation for prostate cancer last year.

Stroke clear

"I have a thorough check-up at the Mayo Clinic in the US next month but knock-on-wood, everything seems fine at the moment," he added.

Meanwhile, three-times Senior British Open runnner-up John Bland will take a one stroke lead into Saturday's third round.

Bland hit five birdies on the back nine to come home in 33 for a 69 which left him on five-under - a stroke clear of former Open champion Bob Charles and American David Oakley.

John Bland on course for first Senior Open

The South African started with an eagle but that was undone by a double-bogey at the short seventh.

Bland's round then regained momentum with three successive birdies after the turn although he was disappointed with a closing bogey six at the tough par-five finishing hole.

Oakley, runner-up in this tournament behind Brian Barnes, also dropped a shot at the last but he still signed for an excellent 68.

Three-under

In contrast, twice winner Bob Charles finished with a birdie which completed his second successive 69.

Australia's Ian Stanley and John Morgan are three-under after hitting 69 and 70 respectively while Bernard Gallacher (71), Russell Weir (67) and Simon Owen (69) are a stroke further back.

Owen finally gained a measure of revenge for his Open Championship reverse at the hands of Jack Nicklaus in 1978 by outscoring his playing partner the Golden Bear.

Nicklaus shot a one-over 72 which left him on level par.

Also five behind Bland are Isao Aoki (70) and 1991 US Ryder Cup captain Dave Stockton (71).

First round joint-leader Denis Durnian slipped down the field by hitting a 76 which left him on two-under.

Bob Charles is just one off the lead

Gary Player safely made the cut after shooting a 73 for three-over.

However, Tony Jacklin made his exit after adding a 75 to his disappointing opening 83.

Kenny Stevenson is best of the Irish on two-over after hitting his second successive 72.

Paul Leonard fired a 73 for three-over while Denis O'Sullivan (148) and Eddie Polland (149) also survived into the weekend.

Main pre-tournament Irish hope O'Sullivan bravely made the cut after coming home in 32 to shoot 72. Polland shot a 74.

Irish Amateur champion Arthur Pierce will play on Saturday after shooting a 74 to finish the second round right on the cut figure of 150, eight over par.