‘He (Jacobson) got a lot of confidence from his first win and he just took it on from there. Its no surprise because his putting and short game are World Class.’

Right behind Sjoland was Lee Westwood who has putted very well and made a couple of putts which made all the difference, despite some of Lee’s best tee to green work this year.

‘It’s a vicious circle – confidence. I am going to work on my putting some more but it’s a lot easier to enjoy playing golf when you are playing well.

It was the first time Westwood had played in the company of Colin Montgomerie for a few years and Lee was generous in the way the 7 times OoM Champion had managed and about his own (Lee’s) slump.

‘You don’t manage to win seven (OoMs) without the ability to switch off and focus on the job in hand.

It makes you appreciate the good times a lot more when you have had a slump. That is the only way it has changed me. I was a fairly jovial character before that and during that time. Occassionally it is going to get to you. It changes you a little but not a lot.’

Westwood will surely threaten over the weekend as he is just one shot back, and Eduardo Romero would have been out in the lead alone but for a two shot penalty for not replacing a moved ball. He was completely philosophical about what had gone on on the 14th hole and is looking forward to the weekend with some relish, on –9, after a second round 68. If he wins, he will become the oldest ever winner on the European Tour.

There is a very solid look to the top of the leaderboard after one of the very ‘possible’ Ryder Cup debutants Brian Davis added and 67 to his opening 68. Davis has enjoyed his two recent visits to the US, for the TPC and the Masters. Davis has, like Westwood, played very solidly in his opening rounds and is looking for the finish that will guarantee his place on the Ryder Cup team, along with many of his generation of stars, whilst players such Jesper Parnevik will definitely miss out.

‘Parnevik is not going to play his 11 because he hasn’t played well enough to get into the World Championships and the Majors. Look at Luke Donald, he is playing great so should he make it but the guys in Europe have to have a chance as well.

‘When I saw Langer was going to be Captain I thought if the team was made up of old guard, I could see him picking a couple of youngsters but it looks like the team might be the youngsters so I think he might pick guys like Monty. I played with him in the Seve and he was awesome.’

In the afternoon, only David Howell kept his place on the leaderboard, rescuing his round with a number of telling birdies. It was the same for Darren Clarke who shot 73 and at –1 made the cut by a shot. Get here early to see some fireworks from Clarke and from Paul Casey who managed a 70 to be at –2.

Gary Wolstenholme also made it through with two 72s and Sandy Lyle continued some respectable form with a 71 whilst his old amateur ‘foe’ Ian Woosnam had a second 70 for –4.