GOLF/Scandinavian Masters: Paul McGinley fired an error-free second-round 68 in the Scandinavian Masters yesterday to keep his Ryder Cup hopes firmly on course.

The Dubliner lies just three shots behind England's Luke Donald, who fired a course-record 65 to lead on 10 under par at the halfway point in Barseback, Malmo.

McGinley, who holed the winning putt in the last Ryder Cup at The Belfry in 2002, is battling to make the team and currently lies 16th in the overall standings.

Victory here and the 265,000 first prize would, however, get him into the automatic places.

"I'm personally very desperate to make the side again as I had a great experience the last time," said McGinley.

"I would love to play again but it is still in the melting pot.

"I am about 200 grand out of making the side at the moment with five tournaments to go, so we will see what happens."

Donald, also in the running for a Ryder Cup spot, carded seven birdies and no bogeys for a halfway total of 134 and one-shot lead over the little-known Swede Wilhelm Schauman.

Another cup hopeful, Sweden's Johan Edfors, is handily place alongside McGinley two shots further back.

It was a less successful day, however, for Ireland's other Ryder Cup aspirant Graeme McDowell. After his fine opening-round 70, he carded a 74 to slip to tied-41st going into the weekend.

Wexford's Damien McGrane is on the same mark after a second even-par round, while the other Irishman in the field, Peter Lawrie, just made the cut, 146, after shooting 74.

Pre-tournament favourite Lee Westwood of England crashed out after a 77.

Donald is currently 14th in the Ryder Cup world ranking list with only the top five to qualify automatically for the European team which will defend the trophy at Oakland Hills in September.

Even a first European Tour victory here on Sunday would only move him up to 10th in the standings, but he is a genuine contender for one of the two wild cards given his experience of playing in America and excellent Walker Cup record - he won seven of his eight matches in the victories of 1999 and 2001.

"I've had a good year so far in America and it's nice to come over to Europe and play some good golf over here just to remind everyone I still exist and am still European," said the 26-year-old, whose round was his lowest in Europe by three shots.

"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 was not even eligible for the contest until recently because he and other US-based players were unwilling to commit themselves to playing 11 European Tour events in order to be eligible.

But he rejoined when the European Tour agreed he and the others need only play all 11 events if they made the team - without that agreement they could have been banned from the European Tour for up to two years.

Scotland's Colin Montgomerie birdied four of his last five holes for a 68 to lie four under, just behind McGinley.

Montgomerie, who won two of his three Scandinavian Masters titles at Barseback and is favourite to claim one of the two wild cards, said: "That was the finish I wanted and although four under is not leading, it's okay.

"I was losing concentration after bogeys at my 12th and 13th but to birdie four of the last five holes was a real bonus.

"I still need to befriend Bernhard Langer and fortunately I am on good terms with him but it is still up to him and it's his choice."