Bennett back in style

Andrew Marshall is in second place behind Bennett

An Englishman who almost retired from golf through injury last year led the Cannes Open after the second round on Friday.

Kent's Warren Bennett carded a second consecutive 66 at Cannes Mougins to reach the halfway stage at 12-under.

That was enough for a one-point lead over England's Andrew Marshall, who in turn finds himself ahead of Norway's Henrik Bjornstad and Argentine Jorge Berendt.

Bennett topped the Challenge Tour rankings in 1998 after winning five tournaments and in 1999, on the main tour, he won the Scottish PGA.

I would have taken just keeping my card this season compared to where I was last year

Kent golfer Warren Bennett

Weeks later he was struck down by pneumonia and that triggered the return of an old neck injury which restricted the 30-year-old to just six tournaments in 2000.

This year he has returned to the sport on a medical exemption and a string of excellent results lifted him to 25th on the Order of Merit and into England's World Cup team.

Now he could be on the verge of an opening victory of 2001 - but Bennett said he was simply glad to be playing again.

"I would have taken just keeping my card this season compared to where I was last year," he said.

Dividend

Bennett carded eight birdies and two bogeys on Friday, both dropped shots the result of penalty drops after his ball ended up underneath trees on the first and 13th holes.

Marshall looks like reaping a healthy dividend for the 23 friends and members of his golf club in Dereham in Norfolk who bought shares in the 28-year-old to raise the #12,500 he needed to fund his season.

He has already secured a card for the main tour next year via his performances on the Challenge Tour and is eyeing a handsome bonus this weekend after his 68 left him just one off the lead.

"A year ago I was playing off a £1,000 overdraft but now I'll be playing for huge amounts every week," Marshall said.

It could be as much as £1,000 and there is one guy who has three shares so he will be rubbing his hands together

Norfolk's Andrew Marshall

"I have to pay my shareholders back after the Challenge Tour Grand Final and I expect them all to take their profit.

"It could be as much as £1,000 and there is one guy who has three shares so he will be rubbing his hands together."

Bjornstad and Australian Wayne Riley, who ended Friday three off the lead, both had no-shows from locally employed caddies.

The Norwegian even had to use 12-year-old Jack Sorrell, the son of one of club professional Richard.

First-round leader Lucas Parsons of Australia could only manage a 73 after his opening 62.

Also 11 shots worse in the second round was Welshman David Park who stumbled to a 75 after his first round 64.