By NIALL JEGER A BRILLIANT rainbow shone over the Oxfordshire Golf Club at the end of the second round of the B&H International Open and Swedish golfer Per-Ulrik Johansson is in the pole position to collect the £133,000 pot of gold.

On a day of mixed weather - brilliant sunshine and torrential rain - he rocketed to the top of the leader board at the halfway stage with a round of 65, leaving him on an 11-under-par 133.

He played in magnificent style and hit four birdies and an eagle. The ice hockey enthusiast is no fan of the cold and said: "I love this event, but it would be better if it were moved back a month when it is hotter."

Johansson added: "My game is in good shape. It's just a case of waiting for things to happen."

He is being hotly pursued by Colin Montgomerie (-10) and Welshman Phil Price (-9).

Nick Faldo is right in the hunt for his first European title in five years and is four shots off the lead.

He said: "I'm starting to hit some better shots when I need them - that's the only way I am going to get some confidence back." Also four shots off the lead and poised for a charge is US Masters winner Jose Maria Olazabal.

Sixty-six golfers made the cut at two under but Justin Rose suffered more agony as he failed to make the grade at his 19th successive attempt as a pro. He finished two over with a total of 146.

At one stage, the 18-year-old Hampshire golfer looked like he might squeeze in, but shot two bogeys on the last two holes.

Other casualties were Retief Goosen, Costantino Rocca, Paul Broadhurst and Mark James.

A remarkable turn of fortune saw Swede Robert Karlsonn bounce back from a double bogey at the par three 13th with a spectacular eagle two on the 14th. He holed from 122 yards with an eight iron and at the half way stage is five under

A competitor who didn't have far to travel was Paul Simpson, from Witney, who is a professional at West Berks Golf Club, played well to finish level. He shot rounds of 73 and 71 to finish 87th with 144.

For a while, he was in with a shout of making the cut but the south region qualifier said: "I played all right on my back nine but haven't putted well enough. I haven't played these tour events for several years, so I am not disappointed about not making the cut."

Simpson was desperately unlucky not to birdie the last hole with a long shot from the edge of the ninth green. That would have put him one under. He said: "I quite fancied that one. I really needed to get it in."

He hit four birdies and an eagle in the second round to finish level par.

Story date: Saturday 15 May

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