Smith Joins Bennett In Lead - 22/06/2007

MARK SMITH and Warren Bennett share the clubhouse lead at -9 during the second round of The Peugeot International Open at Whittlebury Park GC.

Bennett, the overnight leader in the PGA EuroPro TOur event after an opening round of 64, shot four birdies in a two-under-par 69 on Thursday.

Smith hit six birdies but dropped three shots in his 68 to join Bennett at -9.

A level par 71 kept Russell Claydon in contention three shots off the pace, while Jonathan Evans - who landed a hole-in-one on Wednesday - moved out to -5 with a round of 70.

Royal Liverpool player Ian Keenan's 68 saw him join Ian Walley, Michael McDermott and Sean Whiffin at -4 in the clubhouse.

Lewis Genny matched Evans' feat of a hole-in-one at the third during his round on Thursday, ensuring him a place in the end-of-season Peugeot Hole-In-One Shoot-Out. 

A full update will be issued at the close of the second round, with the top 50 players, plus ties, going into Friday's final round.