GOLF/British Open: Time after time in the past, whenever destiny called, Sergio Garcia refused to listen. Now, he is older and, maybe, wiser.

And after two days of crafting shots, holing putts and avoiding disasters on this links, the golfer they once called El Niño - The Kid - has skilfully assembled the first two links of a four-piece chain at the British Open that could yet see him finally discover his true golfing fate.

The weekend will tell if he has truly grown up.

On a day when a fresh breeze accentuated the challenge of the course, and some shrewd pin placements by the R&A made players pay a heavy price for being impetuous, Garcia remained immune from his old failings.

By posting a second-round 71 to reach the midpoint of his journey on 136, six under par, the Spaniard grabbed a two-stoke lead over Korea's KJ Choi, with his compatriot Miguel Angel Jimenez and Canada's Mike Weir a shot back in third.

And Tiger Woods, seeking a third straight British Open title, proved his fallibility as early as the opening tee-shot, hooking an iron into the burn and eventually finishing with a 74 for 143, all of seven shots behind the pacesetter.

Of that dreadful hook off, Woods remarked philosophically: "It's not like you don't make bad swings in major championships, that's part of the deal. I'm still there. I could have easily shot myself right out of the tournament, but I kept myself right there."

Not everyone managed to avoid becoming a casualty of the links and, when the cut came on 146, four over par, among those who failed to survive into the business end of the championship were Phil Mickelson, Henrik Stenson, Colin Montgomerie, Graeme McDowell and Darren Clarke.

For the Irish contingent in this latest edition of golf's oldest major, yesterday proved frustrating. At least Rory McIlroy had the satisfaction of achieving his primary aim of winning the silver medal, even before the championship reaches a conclusion, as he was the only amateur to survive the cut.

McIlroy, though, survived easily after a 76 left him on two over par, tied for 31st. The 18-year-old from Holywood in Co Down became the first Irish player since the legendary Joe Carr - in 1958 - to claim the medal awarded to the leading amateur in the championship.

"It's a great feeling knowing no matter what happens I will be on the last green on Sunday (for the presentation). Now I want to try to get into the top 10 and get back next year," said the prodigy.

Paul McGinley and Padraig Harrington reached the halfway stage on the same mark of level par, albeit in different ways.

McGinley, who had to wait until 3.15pm to tee-off, had a terrible start that included opening with a bogey, and then suffering a double-bogey six on the third because he was unaware he was entitled to relief from a sprinkler head.

But he produced a battling finish that gave him a 75 for 142, while Harrington double-bogeyed the 18th for a 73 that had him on the same mark.

There was no hiding McGinley's frustration when told he could have sought relief on the third from the sprinkler head.

"I'm some clown, that was stupid of me. I had a lady referee 10 yards from me and I didn't ask. That cost me a shot," said McGinley, who was unaware that the R&A rules and the European Tour rules differ significantly.

In not seeking relief, he had to putt over the sprinkler head and the ball jumped a good six inches and came up seven feet short of the hole.

"I was thinking European Tour rules," he said. "The one thing I know is different is stones in the bunkers, and I'm very careful not to take out stones in bunkers, which we do on the European Tour.

"It was silly of me, the responsibility is mine and I should have asked. I can't understand why they haven't all got the one set of rules. The USGA have a set of rules. The R&A have a set of rules. The European Tour have a set of rules. It is the same game throughout the world.

"I could have saved myself one shot, and it was at an important stage of the round."

McGinley at least finished strongly, parring the last four holes in what is arguably the toughest finish in championship golf. And, although disappointed to have lost ground, the Ryder Cup player doesn't believe he has fallen out of contention.

"You know, I struck the ball extremely well. I hit the ball just as well today as I did yesterday, and that gives me encouragement, that I hit a lot of quality shots.

"I feel I can score and I'm looking forward to the weekend. I'm six shots off the lead, three shots off third. I'm right in the mix, and you don't get ahead of yourself in a major."

Harrington remarked after his round that he was still not comfortable with his driver. On the Tuesday evening prior to the European Open at The K Club a fortnight ago, Harrington broke the driver he had intended to use here; and the replacement, his old one but which had been inactive for over a year, still has not got his confidence. So he spent much of yesterday afternoon on the range, seeking a solution.

Bur there were no such worries for Garcia, who looks like a different player with the belly putter in his hands. The missed short putts that have haunted him are no longer a part of his failings.

His round featured two birdies, two bogeys and 14 pars, and the agenda was pretty much set on the first hole where he produced a miracle recovery chip.

"I'd rather be leading than being eight shots back, that's for sure, because you don't feel like you have to push your game to the limit all the time," replied Garcia, when asked if leading would add more pressure to his quest for a maiden major title.

And, given his newly acquired wisdom, he would also be wise to take on board the advice of Winston Churchill, who once said: "It is a mistake to try to look too far ahead. The chain of destiny can only be grasped one link at a time."

Are you listening, Señor Garcia?