Mann sails to the top at Foxhills

A downpour of Biblical proportions washed away the hopes of many of the PGA’s senior brigade chasing glory at Foxhills.

Players described the rain-lashed conditions as ‘brutal’ and ‘torture’ as they battled to remain in the Senior PGA professional Championship.

It was in stark contrast to balmy sunshine of the opening round when it felt summer had finally arrived and optimism was as a high as the temperature.

By the end of the second round, just two players remained in the red at the top of the leaderboard. Scotland’s Fraser Mann (Carnoustie), who carded a best of the day two-under-par 70 on the Longcross course, and John Harrison (Matfen Hall), who is a shot further back after a 73.

Roger Tuddenham (Hedge End Golf Centre) put in another steady round to sit third at level par.

Overnight leader Graeme Bell struggled to a 78, to slip to three over, while last year’s runner-up Albert MacKenzie posted an 81 – but comfortably made the cut, which came at 11-over-par for the top 50 and ties.

Mann (above), a two-time PGA Cup player and with two top 10 finishes under his belt in this tournament, was sailing along the sodden fairways having notched four birdies in his first 15 holes until some choppy waters on 16 and 17 saw him bogey both, taking some of the gloss off his round.

“I just played nicely hitting the fairways and greens,” said Mann.

“I didn’t hit many bad shots and I had the wife on the bag, who played a role keeping the clubs nice and dry. The round wasn’t anything special and the only disappointment was the bogey on the 17^th.

“With regards to tomorrow it will be the same as today – just take it one hole at a time. It’s nice to make the cut and be in a good position as my aim was to make the top 20, which I’ve done the past two years finishing in the top 10.”

His main rival will be Harrison (below), runner up in 2010, who admitted he ‘hung on’ after the heavens opened.

“It was torture,” was his summary of his round.

“It was OK for the first few holes but once the rain came it was relentless and I’m soaked to the skin.

“The lads did a good job of keeping the greens open and it’s a pity about the rain as it’s a fantastic course the Longcross. But it was a brute today because it was playing so long and so scoring was really difficult.

“Once that rain came I said to my wife, who was on the bag, if I can finish under par for my total I’ll be happy. It gives me chance tomorrow and that was my main aim. It was just a case of hanging on today.”

A total of 59 players made the final round. The winner will pick up a cheque for £5,250 and secure a place, as will the rest of the top 20 players, in next month’s ISPS Handa PGA Senior Professional Championship at Close House.