A defiant Greg Norman collected five birdies in 10 holes yesterday to finish in second place at the halfway stage of his signature event - a stroke behind Spain's Sergio Garcia.

The former world number one picked up five shots between the eighth and 17th holes to post a second round five-under-par 68 at the Greg Norman International at the Lakes.

His 36-hole total of 12-underpar 134 left him just behind Garcia, who added a 69 to his first day 64 in the joint Australasian-European PGA Tour event.

Australian teenager Aaron Baddeley was tied with Welshman Phillip Price at 135 with Nathan Green, James McLean and Pierre Fulke a further stroke back at 136.

Norman is 46 today and, despite being more than twice the age of most of the players at the top of the leaderboard, is relishing the challenge.

"We have got a great leaderboard . . . I am happy that all the guys are stepping up to the plate," Norman said. "I am still very keen . . . it's like riding a bike. Once you get yourself back into contention, you stay in there."

Norman has taken a keen interest in the rising stars of golf and said he continued to be amazed by their professional approach to the game.

"These kids are experienced, they came out of the womb experienced," said Norman, who won his first professional title in 1976. "Their approach to the game of golf is far superior to what I can remember at that young age.

"They are all as skinny as a rake, they are all finely tuned, they have zero body fat, they can play 100 holes in a day, and not only physically but mentally."

Garcia had led by two late in the day but cut his advantage in half when he three-putted the 16th. "I'm a little disappointed with my finish," Garcia said.

"Sixty nine is still a good score, but I could have done better. I hit at least eight or nine putts that could have gone in but just didn't."

Baddeley grabbed the early clubhouse lead with two eagles before Norman and Garcia overtook him in the afternoon.

Baddeley, who won the 1999 Australian Open as an amateur then successfully defended his title as a professional in 2000, eagled the eighth and 14th holes for a second-round 68.

Price made five birdies and a single bogey to join Baddeley at 11-under and finish a shot in front of Sweden's Fulke (71) and Australians Green (69) and McLean (67).

McLean was diagnosed with Vaso-Vagal Syndrome after he collapsed while bending down to place his tee in the ground during qualifying for the 1998 US Amateur championship.

He needs to drink at least 10 litres of water every time he plays just to get around. "I have to drink a lot more water than most other people," he said. "You start getting really tired, then start seeing stars and then you pretty much just faint."

Defending champion Lucas Parsons also moved into contention with a brilliant 65 following his opening-round 74 and six-times major winner, Englishman Nick Faldo, missed the cut by five shots after finishing at three-over.

Germany's Sven Struver just got in by two shots after a second-round 75, but was so frustrated by his performance that he snapped his putter over his knee before leaving the 18th.