It was a beautiful summer’s day but scoring was never easy with only a handful of players breaking into the 60s. One was Laura Davies, who was alongside Sorenstam at five under. They were four strokes off the pace set by Stupples, who was three ahead of veteran American Beth Daniel and Jeong Jang, of South Korea.Sorenstam, three under on the front nine to get within two of the lead, had to settle for a 71 after a most uncharacteristic inward half. The Kent golfer maintained her position at the top of the leaderboard but while she might have expected Annika Sorenstam to have been right on her heels, the defending champion has ground to make up.
Stupples confidently lashed a driver down the first fairway at 7.29am in stark contrast to the topped shot that followed the only other time she had led an event after the opening round five years ago.A birdie ensued at the par-five first but Stupples had to wait until the 17th for her second birdie of the day, something of a bonus as she holed from 40 feet. 138 H Stenson (Swe) 68 70; P Hanson (Swe) 72 66; D Howell 67 71 139 S Khan 70 69; J Parnevik (Swe) 69 70. 140 T Levet (Fr) 69 71; C Montgomerie 72 68; D Lynn 72 68; C Rodiles (Sp) 71 69; S Hansen (Den) 69 71; I Poulter 72 68. 141 P Hedblom (Swe) 71 70; P Fulke (Swe) 71 70; C Gane 68 73; M Brier (Aut) 70 71 Selected: 142 A Coltart 70 72 143 N Faldo 71 72; Adam Scott (Aus) 72 71..

A week on from leading the Evian Masters at the halfway stage, Karen Stupples repeated the feat at the Weetabix Women’s British Open yesterday. “These few weeks are very important and if I can play well and sneak a win then it’s going to get Bernhard Langer’s attention.”Donald and several other players only rejoined the European Tour when it was agreed they needed to playjust 11 events for eligibility if they made the team.Scandinavian Masters Leading early second-round scores (GB or Irl unless stated): 134 L Donald 69 65 137 P McGinley 69 68; C Hanell (Swe) 68 69. Luke Donald fired a course-record 65 in the Scandinavian Masters to send the European captain Bernhard Langer a timely reminder ahead of the Ryder Cup.
Donald carded seven birdies and no bogeys at Barseback for a 10-under-par halfway total of 134 and a three-shot lead over fellow Cup hopeful Paul McGinley and Sweden’s Johan Edfors. Marcio Maximo Barcellos LivingstonAppointed June 2003Departed October 2003Results P8 W2 D3 L 3Managerial experience Brazil youth, Grand Cayman Islands technical directorFirst Brazilian manager in Britain.Peter Donelan. Attilio Lombardo Crystal PalaceAppointed March 1998Departed April 1998Results P7 W2 D0 L5Managerial experience NoneThe inexperienced non-English speaking Italian (left) unsuccessfully tried to keep Crystal Palace in the Premier League as their player-manager. Ron Noades BrentfordAppointed July 1998Departed November 2000Results P130 W51 D33 L46Managerial experience Crystal Palace caretaker manager for two games.Won promotion and collected a manager of the month award.

Terry Smith Chester CityAppointed July 1999Departed December 2000Results P20 W3 D3 L13Managerial experience NoneChester relegated despite Ian Atkins being appointed to help after the American owner took charge. Carlisle were relegated to Third Division after winning 11 games out of 40. Michael Knighton Carlisle UnitedAppointed September 1998Departed December 1999Results P62 W17Managerial experience NoneThe chairman (right) made himself manager. Because of my name everybody will expect things to happen quick. I’ve got more pressure on me than anyone else in my situation. But I’ve had pressure since Nicolas left Arsenal.”Who got the job? Six other unusual managerial appointmentsKevin CullisSwansea CityAppointed February 1996Departed After seven daysRecord n/aManagerial experience Cradley Town (non-league)The PE teacher with no experience of professional football left Swansea City after just seven days.

But he’s not contemplating failure, and if he’s a success, I’d expect him to be here for years.”Anelka himself agrees. “It’s a big pressure for me, but I’m confident of what I can do The worse thing for me is my name. Like the French team in Euro 2004.”Talking of Euro 2004, would he select a French player to buy for Raith, if money and availability were no barrier in his particular brand of fantasy football? Zidane, perhaps? “No, no, no.”Thierry Henry? “No.”Nicolas Anelka? “Yes, my brother,” is his instant response. “Because I know how he plays and I know how I can make him a big player again. But I know he can’t play here.”Whether Stark’s Park becomes Claude Anelka’s Field of Dreams remains to be seen. He wants a top-four finish this season while chairman Hutton would regard anything better than bottom three as progress.”If it all goes pear-shaped in the next few months and we didn’t win a game, then we can’t sit back and do nothing,” said Hutton, talking about whether Anelka is effectively untouchable “He has to stand or fall on his results.