Ford focuses on Brooks Brothers Classic victory - 03/09/2007

Matthew Ford leads the way at seven under after the second round of the Brooks Brothers Classic at Five Lakes Hotel, Golf, Country Club and Spa on the Ivobank PGA EuroPro Tour.

Ford (Marriott Tudor Park GC) shot 67 in the first round to share the lead at four under overnight, and starting on the front nine on Wednesday he went out two under with three birdies and a bogey. Birdies at the eleventh and seventeenth moved him to eight under but he dropped a shot at the last to cut his lead over the chasing pack to one shot.

Alan Murray and Jamie Moul are the duo on Ford's tail at six under. Murray (Greystones GC) flew out of the blocks with four birdies on the front nine and picked up another one on 14, but dropped a shot at the sixteenth to surrender a share of the lead. Moul (Stoke by Nayland) was four under overnight and shot 69 to move to six under, with five birdies and three bogeys.

Sole possession of fourth place belongs to Alistair Presnell, the Australian who started at four under, who carded 70 for his second round - a double bogey five at the seventeenth starting on the back nine cancelling out earlier birdies but he picked up three birdies with two bogeys for a one under round.

Elliot Saltman and Jamie Elson are tied for fifth spot at four under par - Saltman (Aegon) shooting 68 after a 70 in the first round, while Elson (Forum Financial Associates) went round level to remain on 138 for the tournament.

Francis McGuirk (Princes) was level after the opening round but goes into the final day four shots behind the leaders after carding 68 in his second round, with South African amateur Jacques Blaauw joining him in joint seventh spot with a 69 following an opening round of 70.

The cut was +3 (145) over par with 52 players playing the final round. Order of Merit leader Noel Fox will not get the chance to extend his lead as he was 15 over for the tournament.

Live scoring is available on the final round of the Brooks Brothers Classic by clicking on the Score Updates link on the homepage.

Date Posted: 03/09/08, 7pm