Crowded at top of Trophee Hassan II


A quartet of players is tied for the lead at the halfway point of the European Tour's Trophee Hassan II in Morocco. The group at 6-under 138 includes Scotland's Richie Ramsay, Australian Richard Green, Welshman Oliver Farr and Spain's Rafael Cabrera-Bello.

The 31-year-old Ramsay, a two-time winner in Europe, posted the best round of the day, a 6-under 66 that included six birdies. Cabrera-Bello had a 69, Green a 70 and Farr a 68.

The 27-year-old Farr, who earned his card following a Challenge Tour victory last year, could have taken the outright lead heading into the weekend but bogeyed the par-4 last.

Ramsay told the European Tour's website that he's been dealing with physical ailments this year but his health is coming around after missing four cuts in five starts. "The last few months have been frustrating. You just want to go out and play and I've had a few niggling injuries. I've just tried to stick to my guns and make sure I stretch and have a good practice routine.

"That builds up and slowly but surely it comes around and today was the day it happened. Hopefully it can stay for the weekend."

Farr is looking to improve on his top finish of 45th in his rookie season. "Being in a share of the lead is great. It's what we prepare for and practice for. We are only halfway through but hopefully I can be there on Sunday."

Trailing the co-leaders by a stroke are England's Richard Bland (70), Chris Wood (72) and Ben Evans (70), Spain's Pablo Larrazabal (69), and George Coetzee, who followed up his opening 67 with a 72.

First-round leader Adrien Saddier of France went 12 strokes higher from his 65 Thursday with a 77 to drop into a tie for 26th at 2-under 142.

The 36-hole cut was set at 2-over 146.

For all the scores, visit http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2015/tournamentid=2015022/leaderboard/index.html?showLeaderboard=Y.