5:05pm Friday 4th July 2008
By Gordon Simpson
SOUTHAMPTON Tour pro Richard Bland put in an improved effort on day two of the European Open today, but it was not enough to make the cut.
The 35-year-old, who is ranked number 526 in the world, finished three-over-par after the first two rounds.
Bland's hopes of making the weekend in the prestigious, big money event at the London Golf Club, Kent, were hit on the opening day, when he carded a three-over-par 75.
An excellent start to his second round, in which he was three-under at the turn, saw him hovering just above the cut line.
But things slipped away from Bland on the back nine, as bogeys at the tenth, 17th and 18th scratched any chances of him making the weekend.
Hampshire's Justin Rose produced two solid days to ensure his place in the final two rounds.
A score of three-under on day one was followed up with a slightly disappointing one-over-par round today, but it was still enough to put him into contention for a reasonable finish, as he looks to sew up a Ryder Cup place.
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