Angel Cabrera on pole at British Open

Angel Cabrera birdied the fourth and fifth holes early in his second round to take the outright lead in the British Open at Muirfield yesterday.

Angel Cabrera tees off from the 3rd tee during the second round. Pic/Getty Images.

With the rest of the 153-strong field struggling to cope with a links course turned fast and furious by more than two weeks of sunshine, the burly Argentine player nudged his way up the leaderboard.

Another veteran, in the form of Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez was at three under with two holes to play with Brandt Snedeker on the same number at the turn and overnight leader Zach Johnson matching them after seven holes.

Cabrera then missed a short par putt at the tough sixth and it was a four-way tie for the lead out on the course.u00a0They were battling the testing sun-baked conditions to stay ahead of a three-way tie for the lead in the clubhouse which grouped Tiger Woods, Lee Westwood and Henrik Stenson.

World No 1 Woods had a 71 to get to two under 140, with Englishman Westwood firing a fine 68 and Swede Stenson a 70.u00a0Scotland's Martin Laird had the home fans buzzing with a 71 to stand a further stroke back and well in contention.

Luke Donald was heading home after a 72 to stand at 10 over and Rory McIlroy looked set to join him as he was at a horrendous 13 over going down the front nine.