Plenty of pain in Spain for co-leader Kaymer

Martin Kaymer, returning after nine weeks out with broken toes suffered in a go-kart accident, surprised himself by surging into a share of the lead after the Castello Masters second round in Spain on Friday.

The 24-year-old German was delighted to add a four-under 67 to his opening 63 to join Australian Robert Allenby (66) on 12-under 130, one ahead of tournament host Sergio Garcia.

Defending champion Garcia was 11-under after sinking a par putt in near-darkness on the 15th and the Spaniard will have to return Saturday morning to play his remaining three holes.

He was one of 50 players yet to complete their rounds.

After high winds had disrupted play on Thursday, Kaymer had to play 25 holes with a tender foot a day later.

"The last six or seven holes my foot was really hurting but only when walking," he told reporters. "Now I'm going to put some ice on my foot, try to rest and do no walking on it."

Kaymer has lost his place on top of Europe's money-list and, having slipped to third behind number one Lee Westwood and Rory McIlroy, he is anxious to regain the lead.

"I didn't expect to play as well as I have done because all parts of your game suffer when you don't play. But I want my top place back," said the German.

BACK-TO-BACK

"Once you're up there you don't want to finish second or third," said the back-to-back winner of the French and Scottish opens in July.

"That's why I came here, to make Lee and Rory's life a bit tougher."

US PGA Tour regular Allenby, trying to play his way into next month's end of season Dubai World Championship, is pleased to be performing well on the tour where he cut his teeth.

He said he would be happy to oblige if the European Tour imposed extra restrictions on membership next season.

"We're being pushed all the while to play more and more events in America but I'm determined to take time off to come over to Europe more," Allenby said.

"It would be great to play in the PGA Championship (at Wentworth) again."

World number ten Garcia is still looking for his first win of the year.

"I'm in a great position and having not made any bogeys yet is a real positive," said the Spaniard.

"I could be a couple of shots better but overall I'm pleased to be where I am without playing all that well today."

India's Shiv Kapur returned a 65 to finish on 10-under 132 while Jose Maria Olazabal of Spain will have a three-foot putt to save par on the 15th Saturday to remain two shots off the lead.