GOLF/ITALIAN OPEN:ROBERT ROCK claimed sole leadership of the Italian Open after yesterday's second round as he edged a shot clear of the chasing pack.

The 34-year-old Englishman held a share of the overnight lead with compatriot Chris Wood and a round of 68 in Turin yesterday moved him to 12-under for the tournament, held near Turin.

Rock had just a single bogey on his card, at the par-three 15th, but picked up five birdies including a four on the final hole which took him to the top of the leaderboard.

Wood remains just one shot back on 11 under after a second round of 69 which included five birdies and two bogeys.

He was joined by Dutchman Joost Luiten, who climbed the standings with a five-under 67. Luiten sank five birdies and added an eagle on the par-five 11th.

Italian duo Francesco Molinari and Matteo Manassero sat among a group of six players tied for fourth – two shots behind Rock.

Molinari recovered from an early bogey to sink five birdies on his way to a round of 68, while teenager Manassero also recorded five birdies, with a dropped shot on the 15th his only blemish.

Gary Boyd joined the duo with a fine seven-under 65 which saw him leap 27 places, with Rhys Davies, Gregory Bourdy and Italian Lorenzo Gagli, completing the group.

Gagli climbed 16 places with his round of 66, while Davies carded five birdies and one bogey to complete the second round in four under.

Darren Clarke saw a major improvement on his opening round of 71 by picking up six shots to finish the day on seven under overall. Clarke had bogeys on the opening two holes but proceeded to make eight birdies, four of them in succession from the 14th.

Damien McGrane is five under following a second-round 68 but Simon Thornton, who shot a 69 yesterday for a two-under tally, missed the cut as did Paul McGinley (70) who was one over overall on a tally of 145.