Alfred Dunhill Links Championship second-round leaderboard
-14 N Colsaerts (Bel), C John (Aus); -13 D Law (Sco) D Fichardt (SA); -12 D Hillier (NZ), J Dantorp (Swe), R Williams (SA), J Luiten (Ned)
Selected others: -11 T Fleetwood (Eng), T Hatton (Eng); -9 B Koepka (US); -8 J Rahm; -7 M Wallace (Eng), P Harrington (Ire); -6 R McIlroy (Nir)
Belgium’s Nicolas Colsaerts and Australian Cameron John share a one-shot lead at the halfway stage of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
The 41-year-old Colsaerts carded a seven-under 65 at Carnoustie to top the leaderboard on 14 under alongside John, who shot 68 at St Andrews.
Former Ryder Cup player Colsaerts went into the tournament ranked 695th in the world, while John, playing just his seventh DP World Tour event, is down in 1,007th spot.
“The stage I’m at, the way I see this profession and my career, I’m just happy to be here,” said Colsaerts, whose round included eight birdies and just one bogey.
John, 23, said: “It’s just fun. You don’t get it [links courses] a lot back home, maybe the odd course that plays similar but nothing quite the same.
“Walking up 18 at St Andrews, it’s always pretty special, so just remember it.”
Scotland’s David Law shot a five-under 67 at St Andrews to sit one shot off the lead alongside overnight leader Darren Fichardt of South Africa, who followed up his first-round 61 at Kingsbarns with a 70 on the Old Course.
English pair Tommy Fleetwood and Tyrrell Hatton are part of a tie for ninth on 11 under, with Spain’s Jon Rahm three shots further back.
Rory McIlroy carded a second consecutive 69 to slip down the leaderboard and, eight shots behind the leaders, the Northern Irishman will need a low round at St Andrews on Saturday to force himself back into contention.
American Brooks Koepka fired a fine 64 to lift him up to nine under.
