New dad Lawrie on a high

Homesick Peter Lawrie came through a marathon day to lurk just three shots off the lead in the Mallorca Classic.

With a new baby at home, the Dubliner played 33 holes yesterday as the field played catch up following Thursday's storm delay.

But he was beaming after following a first round 66 with a solid 68 to share third place behind Robert-Jan Derksen and Jean-Francois Lucquin on nine under par.

Needing a top three finish to qualify for next week's Volvo Masters, life can't get much better for Lawrie following the birth of daughter Amelia.

Lawrie said: "I must admit now I am quite tired. I've been off for a good few weeks because my wife had a baby. Having a second child hampers your golf in terms of sleep but it is very rewarding and we are both delighted .

"Madrid was my first tournament back and it took a little bit of time to get the rhythm back but I played lovely last week and that’s why I came here.

"I’d promised my wife Philippa I wouldn’t come away too often, you know three weeks away on the bounce and leave her at home, but I played so well in Portugal I had to come.

"I need to finish in the top three to get into the Volvo Masters. The goal is to get myself into position and here I am.

"There are guys like Robert Jan Derksen and Jeff Lucquin at the top of the leaderboard who had been there before. I am just going to have to fight it out with them and see what happens come Sunday."

Defending champion Niclas Fasth hit a 65 to grab a one stroke lead when the delayed first round was finally completed.

But the Swede could only manage a 70 after lunch and finished they day tied for fifth, four behind Derksen and Lucquin.

BMW Open winner Fasth has all but given up hope of winning the Order of Merit as he needs to win in Mallorca and then finish first or second in the Volvo Masters next week.

Asked if he was still targeting the Order of Merit, Fasth said: "Not really any more. I've failed to win that second tournament I needed and I have a lot of catching up to do."

Gary Murphy managed just four holes of his second round before play was suspended due to darkness but dropped a shot to fall back to tied 15th on three under.

Graeme McDowell will resume on one under par with 11 holes to complete this morning, one better than Damien McGrane who also has 11 to play.

But Paul McGinley is struggling to make the cut after playing nine holes in one over to lie joint 63rd on two over.