Italian Open: Graeme McDowell bogeyed the last hole to miss the cut by one in yesterday's second round of the Italian Open over the Castello di Tolcinasco course outside Milan.

The defending champion, who had begun the day in a good position on two under par, was in trouble from the start and was three over par for the round after just five holes, including a double bogey at the par-three fifth. Although he recovered with an eagle three at the ninth, that closing-hole mishap saw him sign for a 74 to finish on level par, one outside the limit.

England's Richard Finch, playing just his ninth European Tour event, blasted a course record 63 to lead the tournament on 12 under par, one shot clear of Welshman Bradley Dredge.

An eagle and eight birdies enabled the 2002 England amateur champion to knock one stroke off the Castello di Tolcinasco record achieved by Mark Roe and Gregory Havret last year and then matched by Devon's Stuart Little just a few minutes earlier.

At the start of the day Finch still had nine holes of his first round to go, as Thursday's action was halted by a thunderstorm, but teeing off again at 7am he played those in two under for a 69.

Then, with no time for breakfast before his second round began, he moved into overdrive to reach halfway on the 12-under-par total of 132.

It was the second lowest round of his life. The lowest was a 61 at Pyle and Kenfig in the British amateur championship three years ago, but after leading the qualifying stage by five he was promptly knocked out in the first round of matchplay.

Finch (27), is hoping for a better conclusion this time. After three qualifying school failures he is a tour rookie, but said: "I've played a lot of amateur golf abroad and that stands me in good stead. I played with a lot of the players when they were amateur or on the Challenge Tour, but there are people you've been watching on telly for years and you find yourself next to them on the range.

"That side of things is new and tomorrow is going to be a new experience, but it's a great chance. I just hope I can keep playing as I am."

The only Irishmen to survive the cut were Gary Murphy and Michael Hoey. Murphy's level par 72 included a single birdie and one bogey, and left him in joint 13th position on five under par, seven shots off the pace. Hoey fired a 71 to survive on the cut.

Damien McGrane, like McDowell, missed out by a shot after a 70, while Philip Walton (78, 71) and Stephen Browne (77, 75) had left themselves far too much to do after their first rounds.

Dredge had four birdies in five holes from the 13th to join the leader on 12-under, but then three-putted the last for a 66.

Two further back following a 65 stood Paul Broadhurst, who had his first victory for 10 years at the Portuguese Open a month ago. Among those to get in touch with the 39-year-old from Warwickshire was Gary Player.

"It's nice to get a letter from anybody, but to get one from someone of his stature is great," said Broadhurst. "I've only played nine holes with him in a practice round for the Open at Troon in 1989, but he spoke to me in Qatar a couple of years ago and the letter said 'Well done - it's nice to see you performing well'."

Television commentator Peter Alliss was another to make contact, telling Broadhurst: "I've always admired the way you play the game. Not always technically, but for being easy-going."