Golf:Rory McIlroy may be the stand-out name at this week's Egyptian Open on the Challenge Tour but the world number nine was just making up the numbers at the halfway stage, trailing leader Lee Slattery of England by 10 shots.
McIlroy has been working on a number of swing changes with coach Michael Bannon and on this evidence the 21-year-old has yet to regain his best rhythm in the swirling conditions. A second round 74, combined with an opening 71, left the Ryder Cup player a lowly one over.
His card revealed three dropped shots with a solitary birdie coming at the first, whereas Slattery signed for a 66 to lead on nine under 135 at the JW Marriott Mirage City Golf Club outside Cairo.
The 32-year-old, currently 21st in the Challenge Tour rankings and one spot outside the all-important top 20 rewarded with a place on next year’s European Tour after next week’s Grand Final, made just one error in an otherwise flawless round.
“I just didn’t put a foot wrong to be honest,” said Slattery, who topped the Challegne Tour standings in 2004. “The only fairway I missed was on the 11th and so left myself a 30 foot par putt which I missed but apart from that there were no bogeys.
"I got in the zone towards the end and had a very strong finish. I felt it was going to be a good day but it turned out to be a great day.
“Hopefully I can keep it going for the next two days. I have played well this year...won once and had a few top tens which, on The European Tour, would be a great year but because the money is a lot tighter on the Challenge Tour it makes it tougher.
“Everyone wants to play well at this time of the year and you just have to take what comes your way in golf. I think having that assurance or experience will stand me in good stead over the next week.
"I have had it all in this game: I have lost my tour card by €56 in 2007 and then I've also had great years, winning the Challenge Tour and so on.
“It would be great to get things done this week. If I could win here then I would be safe for next year and the target at the moment is to get into the top 15, anything better than that would be a bonus and winning here would come into that category.”
Slattery leads by one from Italy's Alessandro Tadini (71) and Scotland's George Murray (69).
Athlone's Colm Moriartymade up ground with a 70 to get to two under. After recording three birdies his round would have been even better but for a bogey on the final hole. Gary Murphy'sseason of woe continues after he signed for a 77 to be 11-over-par and way off the cut mark (projected at three over).
This week's winner will take away €29,000 before attentions turn to next week's €300,000 Apulia San Domenico Grand Final in Puglia, Italy.
Moriarty is all too aware of what lies ahead, for the Irishman is 46th in the standings (with earnings of €26,357 from 15 events) with only the top 45 making it into the Grand Final.
He has been unofficially bumped to 45th because England’s Jamie Elson will be removed having not played enough tournaments to fulfil his Challenge Tour membership commitment, but it doesn’t ease the pressure.
“I try not to think about any of that,” joked the 31-year-old. “It is a funny position to be in but you can’t just play to order in that respect – you have to try and play like it is the first week of the season and see how you get on.”