Jesper Parnevik continued The European Tour’s domination of the 130th Open Championship at Royal Lytham & St Annes when he moved into a challenging position on the leaderboard after an excellent second round 68.
The 36 year old Swede’s sterling effort moved him to five under par 137 for the tournament and right back into contention for his first Major title
Behind the Ryder Cup player there were even more glad tidings for The European Tour as Eduardo Romero matched Parnevik’s 68 to move to four under par 138 alongside both Alex Cejka and Niclas Fasth who both carded 69s.
“I feel very confident right now and I am playing as well as I can remember for a long time,” said Parnevik. “When you get cross winds across holes like you have today, the key to your game is ball control in both directions and I feel very confident in that aspect of my game right now.”
The Swede, who claimed the runner-up slot in the Open at both Turnberry in 1994 and Royal Troon in 1997, gave himself the perfect chance to go one better this time with an excellent start to his second round.
The four-time winner on The European Tour International Schedule began with a birdie two at the opening hole after his six iron tee shot found the centre of the green and he rolled in his 15 footer for a two.
Further birdies followed at the seventh and eighth to see him to the turn in 32 and when he birdied the long 11th from a greenside bunker, he glimpsed a share of the lead with overnight pacesetter Colin Montgomerie.
Parnevik then traded shots with the Lancashire links at the 14th and 15th holes before a trip into a greenside bunker at the 17th saw him drop a shot to be home in level par 36.
