ADARE, Ireland - Tour rookie Michael Lorenzo-Vera shot a 2-under 70 Friday to lead by one stroke after the second round at the Irish Open.
The 23-year-old Frenchman, who won last year's European Challenge Tour, is at 6-under-8. "I'm having a good roll and good touch," Lorenzo-Vera said of his putting, adding that the course is the most difficult he's played. "Driving is the toughest part."
Marcel Siem of Germany shot a 71 at Adare Manor to be in second place.
Overnight co-leader Richard Green of Australia bogeyed the last hole for a 74, but is equal third at--0 with Pablo Larrazabal of Spain (70).
Jeev Milka Singh of India, who shared the first-round lead, slipped to a tie for 10th after a 76, 10 shots worse than his first round.
The Irish Ryder Cup duo of Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley moved into contention after 69s, although McGinley bogeyed three of the last seven holes after making birdies on five of the first 11.
Clarke, who won his first European Tour event in five years at the Asian Open three weeks ago, had a steadier five birdies against two bogeys for a share of fifth place.
At 3 under, Clarke was tied for fifth with Robert Karlsson, Johan Edfors, Peter Baker and last year's runner-up, Bradley Dredge, who bogeyed four of his last eight holes for a 73 after leading briefly.
"I'm very pleased because I didn't play particularly well," Clarke said. "My ball striking was poor and my speed on the greens was poor, but I managed to hang in there and sneak it round."
Clarke was one stroke ahead of McGinley, who said he was disappointed "not to play the last seven holes as well as I played the rest."
Northern Irish teenager Rory McIlroy (72) was among those tied with McGinley after dropping three shots on his first three holes.
Defending champion and British Open winner Padraig Harrington had a 71 to be a further shot back, and said he needed to work on his putting.
Colin Montgomerie improved six strokes on his first round with a 69 - but is still six shots off the lead.
"I played tee to green the way I used to play golf and haven't in years," said the Scot, trying to improve on his world ranking of 88th.
The 23-year-old Lorenzo-Vera won the Grand Finale on last year's European Challenge Tour and led the standings to gain a place on the full tour. He has already had a runner-up finish, in the China Open last month, when he led after the first two rounds. "I hope I'm ready to win on this tour but I really don't know. I'm getting better but I'm still learning," he said. "This was really good. My driving is getting better. My errant shots are better. Sand wedge is all right and putter is definitely good."
Asked if he was comfortable when he first played the course this week, he replied: "Absolutely not."
Lorenzo-Vera has credited other Frenchmen like Thomas Levet and Gregory Bourdy, both winners on the tour this year, with helping him settle into the top flight in his rookie season.
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