A round up of gold news from around the world and at home.
US TOUR:American Bo Van Pelt enjoyed another error-free day, carding a six-under 66 to grab the early second-round lead at the Buick Open yesterday.
Van Pelt, who shared the overnight lead with compatriots Dudley Hart and Corey Pavin after firing a bogey-free 64 to open the €3 million tournament, returned another unblemished card to reach the midway point at 14-under-par 130.
Swede Daniel Chopra chased Van Pelt up the leaderboard, firing a five-under 67 to lurk just two back on another sweltering day at the Warwick Hills Golf and Country Club.
Hart had looked ready to run away from the field after opening with two birdies but slipped into neutral, carding 13 consecutive pars before closing with birdies on two of his final three holes for a 68 to join Chopra at 12-under 132.
American John Rollins returned the top round of the day so far, carding nine birdies over his last 12 holes for an eight-under 64 to sit six shots off the pace.
Fan favourite John Daly and defending champion Brian Bateman look poised to miss the cut after both stumbled to two-over 74s.
LPGA TOUR:Angela Park impressed with the putter to surge into the clubhouse lead during the second round at the US Women's Open yesterday.
The 19-year-old Brazilian carded 67 for a six-under-par 140 halfway total on a benign morning at Interlachen Country Club.
"Every putt I hit out there was flawless and I read the greens really well," said Park, who tied for second place last year.
"Knowing it's the most prestigious event in women's golf gives me a lot of confidence and makes me want to focus a little more than regular events — and I think that's what makes me play well.
"Having a good finish last year gives me that reminder that I can do well. It doesn't matter how inconsistent I've been throughout the year, because I know what I'm capable of." Park had a one-stroke lead over Finn Minea Blomqvist and Korean Inbee Park, with American Paula Creamer and Korean Jeong Jang two behind.
Annika Sorenstam played her way within five shots of the lead thanks to a round of 70 which could have been better had she not missed a four-foot birdie chance at the last.
CHALLENGE TOUR:A final hole birdie from Tyrone Ferreira saw the young South African join England's Matthew Morris at the top of the leaderboard on day two of the Scottish Challenge.
Despite often difficult conditions at Macdonald Cardrona Hotel Golf and Country Club in Peebles, Scotland, Ferreira - who has finished in the top 20 in his last three Challenge Tour events - posted an eagle two in his round of 66 to join Morris on seven-under-par 135.
The Challenge Tour rookie, who hails from Johannesburg but is currently sharing a house in Manchester with fellow South African Branden Grace, said: "I'm not used to this sort of rain where I come from! It was also quite difficult to see the ball on the last few holes, so I've got to be pretty pleased with a 66."
Morris' return to the fairways after a two-year absence is starting to bear fruit after the Englishman shot a round of 68 for a share of the lead.
David Higgins shot 68 for 139, Michael Hoey 70 for 140 and Michael McGeady a 68 for 143.
AMATEUR:Waterford's Séamus Power has become only the second player in the history of the Irish Youths Amateur Open Championship to win the title on three separate occasions, following John McHenry's wins in 1980, 1981 and 1985.
Power's record narrowly eclipses McHenry's on account of the silver medal won by the former as runner-up to Gareth Shaw at Royal Tara in 2006 in between his other two victories at Portumna in 2005 and on his home course last year.
