Wales' David Park continued his blistering start on the European Tour when he equalled the course record in the second round of the European Grand Prix at Slaley Hall yesterday. It was a fitting birthday performance from Park, who on his debut on the Tour last week lost a play-off for the Moroccan Open title to Spain's Miguel Angel Martin. Park, who fired eight birdies in his round of 65, is on 12 under par, leading overnight leader David Carter by two strokes with Germany's Sven Struver a further two strokes away in third.

Apart from a bogey at the deceptively tricky 13th - the only one on which he dropped a shot on the opening day - eight birdies brought Park home with an aggregate score of 132 and he finished his round with a glorious 25foot putt with his three-iron which curved into the hole.

Peter Mitchell, who along with David Gilford also equalled the course record, is on seven under.

Just as happy as Park was Justin Rose, who shot a 69 to finish on level par which leaves him preparing to play his first third round on the European Tour after making his debut in the Dutch Open a week after that outstanding fourth place in last year's British Open. The news wasn't so good for two of Ireland's representatives as Eamonn Darcy and Des Smyth both failed to make the cut. Darcy shot a 73 for a total of 148 while Smyth had a 74 for 151.

Meanwhile, Darren Clarke, fresh from his excellent performance at Pinehurst last weekend, and Paul McGinley kept in touch with the leaders after shooting a 69 and 73 respectively. They are now eight shots behind Park on 140.

Padraig Harrington followed his opening 71 with another round of one under while John McHenry also made the cut after returning the same score.