Lawrie remains in contention at European Masters as Quesne opens up lead

By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER

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France's Julien Quesne moved into the lead of the Omega European Masters after he shot a second-round 65.

The 32-year-old moved ahead of England's Danny Willett with six under par for the day and nine under par overall to earn a one-shot lead.

Quesne, who claimed his maiden European Tour title at the Open de Andalucia Costa del Sol in March, fired seven birdies as he edged into the lead.

In touch: Paul Lawrie continued his fine form of late

In touch: Paul Lawrie continued his fine form of late

'I took a lot of pleasure from how I played today,' Quesne told www.europeantour.com.

'I hit so many good shots; I managed to stay calm and I holed a lot of putts.

'My final round in Andalucia was the best of my career, because it was under a lot of pressure. But today was probably my second best, because the conditions were very tough and I hardly missed a shot. So I'm very happy.'

Scotland's Paul Lawrie scored 66 to move into third ahead of Englishman David Howell, who mixed four birdies with three bogeys at Crans-sur-Sierre in the Swiss Alps.

Lawrie, part of the European Ryder Cup Team and the winner of last week's Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles, was satisfied with his current form.

Chance: Robert Coles

Chance: Robert Coles

He said: 'I played lovely again today, hit a lot of good putts - not all of them went in, but a fair few did. So I'm very happy with my day's work, despite the weather.

'A lot of guys don't like playing in the cold and the wet, but that plays into the hands of people like me who don't mind it.

'I've had a couple of decent sleeps, so I feel fine and raring to go. There's a nice, relaxed feel to this week anyway, which always helps.'

Tommy Fleetwood and Robert Coles were also six under par after the first two rounds, tied with Howell and Australian Marcus Fraser.

Frenchman Romain Wattel finished five under par for the day and was tied for eighth with Scotland's Richie Ramsay and three others at the end of the day's play.

Ramsay completed the course in a three-under 68 with five birdies and two dropped shots.

Overnight leader Gregory Bourdy had a miserable day, however. He picked up a shot at the first but carded five bogeys to score a four-over-par 75 and drop four shots off the lead.


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