Golf:A seven-week break appears to have done South African Thomas Aiken no harm at all and he takes a one-shot lead into the third round of the Spanish Open in Barcelona.

The 27-year-old, who did not even touch a club during a month in the Bahamas, had his second successive 68 at El Prat to take over at the top from Scotland’s Scott Jamieson.

“When I started (practising) again I thought ‘what the hell have you done?’ because everything felt so strange,” said Aiken. “I wasn’t expecting much this week. I was using it to prepare for the rest of the season.”

As in the first round Aiken — six times a winner in his home country, but yet to lift a European Tour title — made up for two bogeys with six birdies to stand eight-under-par.

Tour rookie Jamieson dropped to joint third by following his opening 66 with a 72, a much better score than looked likely when he bogeyed three of the first six holes.

In between them is Pablo Larrazabal, playing on his home course and seeking a victory that he will surely dedicate to Seve Ballesteros given the latest

fears for the life of Spain’s greatest-ever golfer.

Jose Maria Olazabal and Miguel Angel Jimenez, who know the five-time major champion much better of course, were reportedly in tears and unable to speak after reaching halfway on level par and one under respectively.

Ireland's Shane Lowry briefly moved into a share of the lead as he carded three early birdies having started at the 10th, but he dropped back to two under after three bogeys and a double bogey for a round of 73. Better placed is Peter Lawrie who remains on four under after an uneventful 72 that continued one birdie and a bogey.

Alongside 27-year-old Glaswegian Jamieson are England’s Anthony Wall, Frenchman Romain Wattel and another of the home contingent, last season’s Challenge Tour number one Alvaro Velasco. His 66 was the low round of the day.

Colin Montgomerie, without a top 10 finish for almost three years, had real hopes of climbing into contention at three under early in his round, but then came three bogeys and 11 pars in a row for a 74 that dropped him alongside Olazabal just outside the top 40.

Compatriot Jamieson commented: “I was happy to claw it back. More wind made it a bit tricky, but if you hit it well there are plentyh of opportunities for birdies.

“I struggled with my pace on the greens all day.”