EUROPEAN TOUR: PAUL LAWRIE has a chance this weekend to achieve something which has even eluded Tiger Woods so far.

Only two players – David J Russell in 1992 and Jesper Parnevik three years later – have ever gone through a European Tour event without dropping a stroke.

Woods failed to join them on the very last hole of the 2002 American Express world championship at Mount Juliet in Ireland, but Lawrie is halfway there after adding a 69 to his opening 67 in the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles yesterday.

The 40-year-old former Open champion, fighting for his Tour career a decade on from his Carnoustie triumph, stands eight under par and now leads by two from Northern Ireland rookie Jonathan Caldwell, Dutchman Maarten Lafeber and big-hitting Argentinian Daniel Vancsik.

“I wasn’t in trouble a lot, but when I had to I obviously kept the round going, which you have to do when you have no bogeys,” said Lawrie after doubling his first day advantage. “I’ve been prone to the odd hook in my career and I’ve certainly got rid of that the last couple of days. I missed a few putts, but I’m very pleased with the way I hit it again. Overall you’re not going to grumble, but I’m a golfer and you always grumble!”

One fellow competitor certainly impressed by Lawrie’s display – and it was mutual – was playing partner Jose Maria Olazabal.

The double Masters champion, climbing into contention himself with a 68 for five under, commented: “We all know how good a chipper he is. His nickname ‘Chippy’ tells you pretty much everything.”

Olazabal was delighted with his own efforts, especially five birdies in the first six holes, given that he is suffering more problems with rheumatism. “I have a little bit of pain here and there, especially when I wake up in the morning,” he said. “You have to take it slow and give yourself more time to try to loosen up.

“Hitting shots my body is not moving as freely and I can’t practise as much as I need to, but I have to live with that for the time being.”

However, Lawrie said: “His iron play is just outstanding and he’s the best we’ve got on this tour at making pars from a poor tee shot.

Caldwell, who was Rory McIlroy’s partner in the 2007 Walker Cup, moved into second place with a superb 66.

Only one under with seven holes to play the 25-year-old from Bangor birdied the 12th and 14th and then finished with three in a row.