Golf: Veteran Bland leads Italian Open

TURIN: England’s 39-year-old veteran Richard Bland put himself in contention for a first European Tour title, when a late birdie charge gave him a one-shot lead at the midway point of the Italian Open. Bland carded a six under par 66 for the second round to stand at 12 under with France’s Gregory Bourdy, Spaniard Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano, South Africa’s Garth Mulroy and Scot Marc Warren all one shot back. Bland admitted that he needs a good performance this weekend to help retain his Tour place. “I’ve had a tough couple of years, but that’s behind me now and I’m just trying to move forward and improve every day,” said Bland.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 16^th, 2012.