Caldwell chasing victory in Murcia

Jonny Caldwell will be chasing down former tour winner Miguel Angel Martin in the final round of the Hi5 Pro Tour’s El Valle Open on Thursday.

The Clandeboye player fired six birdies in a second round 66 to become the veteran Spaniard’s nearest rival, just three shots adrift on nine under par.

Martin, who lost his tour card at the end of 2006 and has just 18 month to go before he is eligible for the European Senior Tour, hit an eagle and five birdies in a superb 64 to top the leaderboard on 12 under.

Lurgan’s Gareth Shaw added a 69 to his opening 68 to share sixth place on five under with Dubliner Neil O’Briain’s 68 good enough to see him jump well above the cut line after his first round 73 to joint 22nd on one under.

Michael McGeady also made a move in round two to make the top 40 and ties as he carded four birdies and just one bogey in a 68, surviving with three shots to spare on level par.

Castle’s Dara Lernihan made the cut on the limit after a 76 that featured two birdies, two bogeys, a double bogey and a nasty, triple bogey six at the 15th, his sixth of the day. Cian Curley retired.