Mason stays on course

LEADERBOARD -3 C Mason, D Pooley, M McNulty, P Oakley -2 M James, T Kite, B Longmuir Par D Quigley, E Romero, J Chillas +1S Torrance, J Grace

England's Carl Mason stayed on course at Royal Portrush on Friday to go one better than his runner-up finish in last year's Senior British Open.

Mason shot a one-under-par 71 to take a share of the lead on 141 with Americans Don Pooley and Peter Oakley and Mark McNulty, who is now an Irish citizen.

In wet and windy conditions on the Dunluce links, favourite Eduardo Romero dropped three adrift after a 75.

The legendary Gary Player missed the cut after hitting a career high 90.

Pooley, who missed the chance to take the outright lead after bogeying the last hole, won the US Senior Open two years ago and is enjoying his first trip to Ireland.

"I got off to a great start. I love links golf and the variety of shots out there. I love this course. I liked it the first day I saw it," he said.

McNulty's superb 69 was one of only two sub-70 scores on the second day.

Mason lost a play-off to Tom Watson in last year's championship at Turnberry but he followed that with four successive wins on the European Seniors Tour.

Watson has left himself with a lot to do over the weekend after a 74 left him five-over and eight behind the leaders.

When the conditions are more difficult it helps the better players Tom Kite

Seeking his first tournament victory in 21 months after five second place finishes, Tom Kite moved into contention at two-under with a 71.

Kite had no complaints about the tough conditions.

"I love it," said the 55-year-old.

"When the conditions are more difficult it helps the better players and improves their chances of winning the tournament."

Tied with Kite on 142 are Scotland's Bill Longmuir and England's Mark James, who is aiming for back-to-back victories on the Champions Tour after his triumph in the recent Senior Players Championship in the US.

Som Torrance remained in contention after a battling 73 which left him on one-over.

Player's 90 left him on halfway score of 21-over 163 - 11 shots outside the cut.

The South African carded five double bogeys and eight bogeys in his round.

Of the Irish hopefuls, Eamonn Darcy and Des Smyth both shot 76 which left them on 149 and 150 while Paul Leonard was one shot inside the cut mark of 153 despite shooting a disappointing 79.

However, Eddie Polland and former champion Christy O'Connor Jnr both missed the cut.