• Johnnie Walker Championship, Round Two

Colsaerts in the hunt for Ryder Cup berth

Nicolas Colsaerts is firmly in contention © Getty Images

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A late flourish on day two has propelled Nicolas Colsaerts into contention at the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles, keeping alive his hopes of a top-two finish and an automatic Ryder Cup place.

The big-hitting Belgian needs a top-two finish to make his Ryder Cup bow and dislodge Martin Kaymer from the remaining automatic spot.

Lying in a tie for eighth following a first-round 69, it was important Colsaerts made a move ahead of the weekend. Heading to the back nine level-par for the day, he was struggling to make inroads. A bogey at the 13th could have led to a run of poor holes but, with two par fives and a driveable par four still to come, the European Tour's longest hitter had good reason for optimism.

Back-to-back birdies from the 14th got his tail up, before a closing birdie for a two-under 70 propelled him into a share of seventh on five-under with two rounds to go.

"I feel pretty good, because it wasn't a very convincing round with a couple of holes to go. I didn't feel as loose as I did yesterday," he said. "When you don't really have a good round going, I was just trying to get my way around. I knew the last couple of holes were good birdie opportunities for me, so I was ready to capitalise on those.

"I didn't shoot myself out of this by finishing in quite a good fashion today, so I think that was the most important thing for me. I know I'm going to need two good rounds. It's quite crowded but I'm been playing well for quite some time now, so there's no reason why I can't put two good rounds together."

Of those who still retain hope of getting one of Olazabal's wildcard selections, Rafael Cabrera-Bello is nicely placed at four-under, having played his way into contention with a second round 68.

Compatriot Miguel Angel Jimenez looks destined to fill Olazabal's one remaining vice-captain berth, however - Jimenez is four-over for the tournament and a missed cut is unlikely to get him onto the team at the last opportunity.

English duo Mark Foster and Richard Finch hold the lead at the halfway stage, reaching eight-under for the tournament after respective 68's and 67's. They are one clear of Brett Rumford and Scot Paul Lawrie - who has the peace of mind that comes with knowing his place at Medinah is already assured.

David Howell is among a number of players at five-under, with Colin Montgomerie and Francesco Molinari both well placed at four-under for the tournament.

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