GLENEAGLES, Scotland (AP) — Gary Boyd and David Lynn of England and Julien Guerrier of France were tied for the lead at the Johnnie Walker Championship on Friday, completing two rounds at 9 under.
Guerrier shot a 5-under 67, while Boyd and Lynn had 68s. Marc Warren of Scotland (70), Mark Foster of England (67) and George Coetzee of South Africa (68) were two shots back.
Simon Dyson of England shot a 70 to grab a share of seventh place at 6-under. He is four places outside of qualifying for the European Ryder Cup team and needs to capture the Johnnie Walker to ensure automatic selection for the event at Celtic Manor.
Also at 6 under were Paul McGinley of Ireland (70), Miguel Angel Jimenez of Spain (68) and Edoardo Molinari of Italy (68).
Jimenez was a late entry as he looks to secure his place on the Ryder Cup team, while Molinari is hoping a good showing will help him earn a captain's pick.
Guerrier, who captured the 2006 British Amateur championship and turned professional right after the 2007 Masters, was inspired by Martin Kaymer's recent run to the PGA Championship title.
"I watched Martin Kaymer, 26 years old, make the fantastic title in the U.S. PGA and I said, 'He's a good player, but I'm a good striker and I can do it,'" Guerrier said. "So I try to do it and don't try too much, just play your golf, play your best and go see the flag and play it. That's all."
European Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie missed the cut and will now focus on his Sunday night choice of captain's picks.
"I just think it's super that everyone is performing to the best of their ability," Montgomerie said after shooting 71 and 76 to finish at 3-over.
"I can't please everybody, the only way I could do that was to pick 20 players, but I have to leave out some good players, some winners," the Scott said. "It's a good headache to have."
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