Lawrie chasing magical Kinhult in Malmo
Marcus Kinhult. Picture © Getty Images

Marcus Kinhult. Picture © Getty Images

Peter Lawrie clings to his hope of wining back his tour card but it's an amateur who leads the Nordea Masters in the shape of 18-year old Marcus Kinhult.

As Lawrie, 131st in the Race to Dubai and reliant on invitations for starts added a 71 to his opening 69 to share 13th on four under, he found himself five strokes behind Kinhult and compatriot Jens Dantorp at halfway at PGA Sweden National in Malmö .

Dantorp, who hails from Malmö and is attached to the host venue, and 18 year old Kinhult, who recently won the prestigious Lytham Trophy, both carded four under par rounds of 68 to lead by two shots from Germany’s Max Kieffer and another Swede, Sebastian Soderberg.

Kinhult became only the second amateur in history to lead a European Tour event after two rounds thanks to five birdies and a bogey, and he credited the help of European Senior Tour player Barry Lane, who, like the youngster, is  a member at Skaftö Golf Club on Sweden's west coast.

World Number Four Henrik Stenson birdied the last for a 72 and a two under par total, but defending champion Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand missed the halfway cut following two rounds of 73.

Kinhult said: “It’s pretty special to play a European Tour event – this is only my second time doing that. And to play at home in Sweden makes it even more special.

"There were some big crowds on the last few holes which was a lot of fun, and I think there will be a few more watching over the weekend.

"The Lytham Trophy win gave me a lot of confidence. I haven’t had that many wins before, so to get one there was a great feeling and a big boost to my confidence.

“Barry Lane lives on the same island as me, a small island up on the west coast. We’ve practised a few times together. He’s a great player and a great guy. He gives me some great advice and I think I can learn a lot from him.”

Dantorp complained of tiredness towards the end but added that "hearing the crowd cheering gives me new energy. I was looking at the leaderboards trying to catch Marcus, and I did. I’m looking forward to playing with him tomorrow.

“I’ve never played with Marcus so it’ll be nice to see how he plays and to try to beat him. I’m trying to stay cool and tell myself it’s just another round of golf tomorrow. It’ll be a fun one because there will be big crowds. I’m looking forward to it.”

Michael Hoey fired an eagle and five birdies in a 68 to make the cut with ease on two under after struggle to a 74 on day one.

Ballylclare's Gareth Maybin aslo made it with a shot to spare despite a double at his final hole. The former Challenge Tour winner made five birdies in an outward 31 to ease the pressure.

Mount Juliet's Kevin Phelan was left to rue his opening 76 as he posted a solid 72 to miss out by four while Damien McGrane's 71 was not enough after a first round 78.

Nordea Masters, PGA Sweden National (Par 72)

135 J Dantorp (Swe) 67 68, M Kinhult (am) (Swe) 67 68,

137 S Soderberg (Swe) 68 69, M Kieffer (Ger) 68 69,

138 T Lewis (Eng) 68 70, A Noren  (Swe) 70 68, E Pepperell (Eng) 70 68,

139 M Carlsson  (Swe) 68 71, D Woltman (USA) 70 69, A Levy (Fra) 69 70, A Velasco (Esp) 70 69, H Otto (RSA) 69 70, 

140 Peter Lawrie (Irl) 69 71, B Hebert  (Fra) 68 72, S Jeppesen  (Swe) 72 68, A McArthur  (Sco) 71 69, K Broberg (Swe) 70 70, O Farr (Wal) 70 70, C Paisley  (Eng) 67 73, A Otaegui  (Esp) 68 72, D Fichardt (RSA) 70 70, S Henry  (Sco) 69 71, B Hellgren  (Swe) 70 70, 

141 P Oriol (Esp) 68 73, L Slattery (Eng) 68 73, A Cañizares  (Esp) 70 71, S Kjeldsen (Den) 72 69, T Van Der Walt (RSA) 72 69, J Roos (RSA) 71 70, A Tadini (Ita) 69 72, R Cabrera-Bello (Esp) 72 69, A Quiros  (Esp) 75 66, L Bjerregaard  (Den) 71 70,

142 Michael Hoey  (Nir) 74 68, E Grillo (Arg) 72 70, J Hahn (USA) 69 73, T Fisher Jnr (RSA) 73 69, N Lemke (Swe) 74 68, J Blixt  (Swe) 74 68, P Hanson (Swe) 71 71, R Gonzalez (Arg) 74 68, T Murray (Eng) 74 68, S Gallacher (Sco) 71 71, H Stenson (Swe) 70 72, J Morrison  (Eng) 71 71, C Shinkwin (Eng) 69 73, M Lorenzo-Vera  (Fra) 73 69, S Forsstrom (Swe) 70 72, R Kakko  (Fin) 72 70, R Dinwiddie  (Eng) 73 69, T Pieters  (Bel) 68 74,

143 N Fasth (Swe) 72 71, T Bjørn (Den) 71 72, P Larrazábal (Esp) 71 72, G Havret  (Fra) 72 71, M Nixon (Eng) 73 70, D Gaunt (Eng) 74 69, Gareth Maybin (Nir) 72 71, J Rask (Swe) 74 69, J Parry (Eng) 71 72, S Hansen (Den) 71 72, S Hend (Aus) 74 69, B Virto Astudillo (Esp) 71 72, O Bergqvist (am) (Swe) 74 69,

144 L Gillgren (Swe) 72 72, F Zanotti (Par) 70 74, S Benson (Eng) 73 71, F Fritsch  (Ger) 70 74, J Barnes (Eng) 75 69, J Campillo (Esp) 74 70, O Fisher  (Eng) 69 75, S Wakefield (Eng) 69 75, J Edfors (Swe) 71 73, B Ritthammer (Ger) 69 75, J Singh (Ind) 71 73, B Dredge (Wal) 72 72, N Colsaerts  (Bel) 73 71, M Lundberg (Swe) 73 71, R Karlberg  (Swe) 71 73, 

CUT

148  Kevin Phelan (Irl) 76 72, 

149 Damien McGrane (Irl) 78 71