Wilson leads Madeira Islands Open

Published May 11, 2012

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Santo da Serra, Madeira Islands – Oliver Wilson of England boosted his hopes of capturing a first European Tour victory in shooting a second-round 65 on Friday to take a one-shot clubhouse lead at the Madeira Islands Open.

Wilson, who has nine second-place finishes in his tour career, moved to a 13-under par 131 with seven birdies on the mountainous Santa da Serra course.

“I again played really nice and no bogeys after two rounds is always very pleasing,” Wilson said. “I am just trying to play sensible and felt also that I left a few out there.”

Wilson, 31, competed in the 2008 Ryder Cup but lost his main tour card at the end of last year after finishing 130th.

His effort in Madeira is his lowest opening 36-hole tally since a pair of 66s over the first two days of the 2010 Hong Kong Open.

Wilson kick-started his second round in style when he chipped in from 15 feet and then birdied the next from six inches.

“To start in that manner was great and gave me the momentum I needed,” he said. “But there is a long way to go and the low scoring is going to carry on so I am going to have to keep going forward, and going forward low.”

The Swedish duo of Magnus Carlsson and 19-year old Joakim Lagergren, who both recorded rounds of 66, are joint second on 12 under.

England's Nick Dougherty, who like Wilson lost his main tour card at the end of last year, is assured of playing all four rounds after shooting a second round 71 to move to 4 under. – Sapa-AP

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