Cort the man to catch

Matthew Cort made the short trip across the city to breathe new life into his PGA Midlands Order of Merit title defence by firing a stunning 63 to sit top of the leaderboard at the halfway point of The Midlands Open.

Cort recorded no less than nine birdies and came home in 30 to lead by two shots from both Craig Swinburn (Brierley Forest) and Paul Bradshaw (Gainsborough) who both shot 65s.

Scoring was on the low side at Birstall, the club once again playing host to the region's oldest tournament and as usual presenting the course in fine condition.

Cort, the PGA Midlands 2013 champion currently stands fifth in this year's table after three events, but with his nearest rivals a little way back on the leaderboard, the Rothley golfer has given himself a great chance to take control of the Order of Merit race again.