It could be the next sporting craze - tournament golf at eventide. Though forced upon them by inclement weather here at St Leon Rot, the Germans have warmed to the notion, judging from the enthusiasm for late-late shows by Tiger Woods, Michael Campbell et al, during the Deutsche Bank TPC of Europe. When play was eventually suspended at 9 p.m. (local time) last night, players came from all parts of the course, like wandering sheep back to the fold. And there was an understandable look of satisfaction from Paul McGinley who, with four birdies in his 10 holes, moved to seven under par and a share of fifth position overall.

The second round will not be completed until this morning but even at this early stage, Woods, on five under, is aware of a formidable challenge from Campbell, who has swept to 14 under par at the top of the leaderboard. "I didn't want the siren (stopping play) to sound," said the New Zealander. "I wanted to lead by more. That's my plan this week."

In fact after setting off at 6 p.m., he made the sparkling start of three successive birdies and went on to birdie the fifth and eighth in a repetition of Thursday's exploits. But at the ninth, the magic was stopped, temporarily, by his first bogey of the tournament.

Woods couldn't match that spectacle, despite a gallery which was far more orderly than on Thursday. And local photographers, who had been a particular thorn during the opening round, were seen to take a lot more care with their timing. For his part, the main attraction covered five holes from the fourth in 3, 3, 4, 3, 3 - par, eagle, par, birdie, par. The eagle was especially interesting in being the product of an 18-foot dunt from the fringe, with his three wood.

McGinley rivalled Campbell with a similarly impressive outward journey of 32, characterised by delightful iron play, as one might expect from the tour's fourth best exponent of greens in regulation. "What really pleases me is that I've had no reaction from my ribs for a second successive day," he said afterwards.

Playing with World Cup-winning partner Padraig Harrington (four under after 10), he started birdie, birdie, by recovering from a front bunker to two feet at the long first and by sinking a six-footer at the second. Then came an 18-footer for a two at the short fourth, followed by a pitch to a foot, for another birdie at the next.

"Campbell is playing a different game at the moment, so I will be concentrating on one hole at a time," added McGinley, who is clearly conscious of precious Ryder Cup points. And he is riding the confidence gained from a share of second place at The Belfry last week.

Harrington hit the ball impressively long and straight off the tee, missing only one fairway. His iron play was not up to the standard of his Irish colleague, however, and apart from two-putt birdies at the long first and fifth, the closest he got to the hole was 12 feet away. "I'm doing most things right so I can't really complain," he said afterwards. Among those forced to play 36 holes yesterday in a re-arranged draw, was the admirably resilient Ian Woosnam on six under. Though in danger of becoming almost as broad as he is long, with the passing years, the little Welshman had a sparkling morning effort of 66. And he did it by putting conventionally, with the standard implement.

A turning point occurred in Woosnam's putting during the World Matchplay at Wentworth in 1998, when he had a four-footer on the 36th hole to beat Tiger Woods - and jerked the ball wide of the target. Shattered confidence eventually led him towards the broomhandle, but he is now back with the short model again.

By way of emphasising his commitment to change, he made a present of a medium-long putter to Eamonn Darcy who has also been struggling with the blade. "I'm not going to change midway through a tournament, but it's there as an option," said the former Ryder Cup colleague after rounds yesterday of 71 and 72 to make the cut on one under overall.

Darcy, who is here on a sponsor's invitation, is trying to remain competitive before advancing to senior ranks in August of next year. And at 48, how did he handle 36 holes in one day? "The legs are fine but the back is sore," he replied with a wry smile. As for his putting: Darcy three-putted three times but that is what he has come to expect these days.