Red-hot Rose takes a grip on race for No 1 spot

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Rose, who is based in Orlando and plays most of his golf on the U.S. Tour, has seemed an unlikely candidate to overtake Open Champion Padraig Harrington in the title race.

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Round of the day: Rose shot a three-under 68

Yet, having finished in the top 12 in all four majors and runner-up at the Dunhill Links, he is favourite to top the money list and take full advantage of leader Ernie Els' absence from the Volvo Masters.

Rose shot a second-round 68 to open up a four-shot halfway lead over Harrington and the rest of the field at Valderrama.

Knowing he must finish in the top three and ahead of Harrington to be No 1 Rose, who has recovered from a stomach bug, is confident he can complete the task.

Rose, at four under the only player under par after 36 holes, said: "I am feeling very comfortable right now.

"My iron play has been as good as it has been in a long time."

Valderrama's short third hole will bare witness to that. Having holed in one there on Thursday, he was only 18 inches away from repeating the feat yesterday for the first of his six birdies.

He also had three bogeys on the front nine but returned in 32 shots to leave the rest of the field trailing.

Harrington shot a second 71 to be level par, twice getting up and down from bunkers to keep Rose in reach.

However, having come from behind 12 months ago to take the No 1 title from Paul Casey, Harrington issued a warning to Rose, saying: "This golf course is a long haul, you can never take your eyes off the ball.

"You have to be patient and cautious."

First-round leader Graeme McDowell slipped to joint fourth after shooting a 75.

US Open champion Angel Cabrera shot an eight-under-par 63 to take a two-stroke lead in the lightning-interrupted second round at the Barclays Singapore Open.

American Jim Park was second on six under after a 70 at the Sentosa club, but Els looks certain to miss the cut after a 76 to drop to six over.

Lee Westwood (67) is tied for fourth on four under, with 37 players still to finish their second rounds because of the weather delay.