Karlsson sets record to take lead

SECOND-ROUND LEADERBOARD (GB & Ire unless stated)
-15 R Karlsson (Swe) -13 H Otto (SA), M Foster -11 A Hansen (Den), E Goya (Arg)-10 P Archer, B Dredge, M Fraser (Aus), M Lafeber (Ned), C Nilsson (Swe), M Ruiz (Par), A Velasco (Spa)

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Karlsson could have played at the Players Championship instead

Sweden's Robert Karlsson broke the course record with an 11-under 61 to surge into a two-stroke lead at the halfway stage of the Italian Open.

Karlsson hit two eagles and eight birdies to move ahead of South Africa's Hennie Otto and England's Mark Foster.

The 2006 Ryder Cup star admitted he had considered the possibility of carding the first 59 on the European Tour.

"It did cross my mind but I've had some problems on eight in the past - I was happy with a three there," he said.

Karlsson, starting on the back nine, began with three successive birdies but dropped a shot after finding the water on the 13th.

But he eagled the 15th and 1st with massive putts before finishing with five birdies in his last seven holes, as well as par threes on the short 5th and 8th.

The 38-year-old opted to play in the relatively low-key event in Milan after confusion over whether he had qualified for the prestigious Players' Championship in Sawgrass.

"I was never really sure I would make Sawgrass and I thought if I could play well here it would be for the best," said Karlsson, who at 48th in the world was eligible for the Florida tournament.

"I'm in Ireland next week, so it's really good for travelling and maybe it's worked out for the best.

606: DEBATE That's some golf score Goldwolf

England's Oliver Wilson is six shots off the lead despite having to use a wedge to putt for nine holes.

Wilson presumes he damaged his putter by smacking it against his bag coming off the 9th green.

Two-time major champion John Daly qualified for the final two rounds after carding 73 to reach halfway right on the cut-off of four under.