SYDNEY, Nov 26: Rod Pampling took advantage of perfect morning conditions to snatch a four-stroke lead after the second round of the centenary Australian Open on Friday.

Pampling fired a four-under-par 67, matching his first round score, to reach the clubhouse with a 36-hole total of eight-under-par 134 when the weather turned foul.

That put him four shots clear of first-round leader Kurt Barnes who added a 73 to his course-record 65 the previous day after gusting winds swept across the course around midday, making it difficult for players to shoot low scores.

Brett Rumford and tournament favourite Stuart Appleby both shot 70 to share third place at three under par while Paul Gow and Anthony Painter were a further stroke behind. He collected four birdies on the front nine to go out in 31 and traded shots on the back nine to come home in even par.

Barnes, playing three groups behind Pampling, ran into the teeth of the wind late in his round. The 23-year-old was level with Pampling at eight under par with just six holes to play until three bogeys and a double bogey made him slip five behind. He salvaged a birdie on the last to close the gap to four.

SECOND ROUND SCORES