Martin Kaymer’s determination to make Rory McIlroy’s life a “bit tougher” saw him return after nine weeks out with broken toes to surge into a share of the lead early in the Castello Masters second round.

After suffering the injury in a go-karting accident, the 24-year-old German was delighted to add a four-under 67 to his opening 63 to join Australian Robert Allenby (66) on 12-under 130, two ahead of India's Shiv Kapur and tournament host Sergio Garcia.

Kapur carded a 65 while defending champion Garcia was 11-under before fading light stopped his progress with three to play.

After high winds disrupted play yesterday, Kaymer had to play 25 holes with a tender foot a day later.

"The last six or seven holes my foot was really hurting but only when walking," he told reporters. "Now I'm going to put some ice on my foot, try to rest and do no walking on it."

Kaymer has lost his place on top of Europe's money-list and, having slipped to third behind number one Lee Westwood and McIlroy, he is anxious to regain the lead.

"I didn't expect to play as well as I have done because all parts of your game suffer when you don't play. But I want my top place back," said the German.

"Once you're up there you don't want to finish second or third," said the back-to-back winner of the French and Scottish opens in July.

"That's why I came here, to make Lee and Rory's life a bit tougher."

US PGA Tour regular Allenby, trying to play his way into next month's end of season Dubai World Championship, is pleased to be performing well on the tour where he cut his teeth.

He said he would be happy to oblige if the European Tour imposed extra restrictions on membership next season.

"We're being pushed all the while to play more and more events in America but I'm determined to take time off to come over to Europe more," Allenby told Reuters.

"It would be great to play in the PGA Championship (at Wentworth) again."

Kapur had to scramble to retain his tour card here last year and, lying 117th on the money-list, he is again outside the 115 exempt positions.

"I'm a little bit better off this year because I've still got the Singapore Open and Hong Kong Open to come," he said. "But I'd still like to get it over and done with this week."

Gary Murphy is two under after a second 71 and Darren Clarke finished for the day on four under through 14, after picking up one birdie on the 13th.

A one-under-par 70 left Paul McGinley level par and dangerously close to the cut which will be finalised tomorrow.