Irish Open: Lorenzo-Vera bidding for first European victory

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DARE, Ireland (AP) -- Michael Lorenzo-Vera of France shot a 2-under 70 to take a share of the second-round lead at the Irish Open on Friday.

Overnight leaders Richard Green and Jeev Milka Singh had not begun their second rounds when Lorenzo-Vera joined them at 6 under.

Marcel Siem of Germany was on 5 under after a 71.

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 round of five birdies against two bogeys.

Clarke was on 3 under, one shot ahead of McGinley.

"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 get it round."

McGinley was disappointed "not to play the last seven holes as well as I played the rest. But I'm pretty pleased."

Bradley Dredge, who lost a playoff to Padraig Harrington last year, led briefly on 7 under but four bogeys over the last eight holes knocked him back to 3 under.

Harrington, who opened with a 72, was also a late starter Friday, as was Colin Montgomerie, trying to improve on his first round of 75.

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 learning," he said.

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.