France's Lorenzo-Vera surprise leader at Irish Open

By Bernie McGuire

ADARE (Reuters) - French-born rookie Michael Lorenzo-Vera was the surprise leader by one stroke at the halfway mark of the Irish Open on Friday.

His second round 70, which included three birdies, followed an opening 68, taking him to six-under-par at the Adare Manor course ahead of Germany's Marcel Siem (71).

The Biarritz-born golfer is competing in only his 14th full Tour event after last year becoming the first Frenchman to finish as leading graduate from the secondary Challenge Tour.

Australian Richard Green let slip his share of the opening round lead but remains in contention to record his first win this year despite carding a 74. He shares third spot on four-under par with Spain's Pablo Larrazabal (70).

Ireland's Padraig Harrington (71), who birdied his last hole to finish at one-under, still has a chance to retain the title.

The 23-year-old Lorenzo-Vera is no stranger to heading the field at a European Tour event in his rookie season having led after the opening two days of last month's China Open before finishing runner-up to Ireland's Damien McGrane.

It is that experience in Beijing that he hopes will help him secure a first Tour victory on Ireland's west coast.

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