OTHER SPORT

LITTLE MAKES A BIG IMPRESSION

Stuart Little

Saturday April 28,2007

By Julia White for express.co.uk

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Stuart Little has made the most of his late call-up to the Spanish Open in Madrid and was leading last night when rain forced another delay.

The 39-year-old left-hander flew out on Tuesday after being told he was suddenly up from fourth to first reserve – and a place then fell open for him when Londoner Anthony Wall withdrew just before the start.

The bad weather meant no play on Thursday but in 33 holes yesterday Little charged to nine under par. That was good enough for a three-stroke lead over compatriots Nick Dougherty and Mark Foster and also South African Charl Schwartzel in the race for a first prize of over £225,000.

When the suspension came just before 6pm not one of the 155-strong field had reached halfway and Ryder Cup pair Paul McGinley and Darren Clarke, two under and three over respectively, start their second rounds today.

“This is only my fifth tournament of the year, so to play like this so far is absolutely fantastic,” said Little.

On signing for a first-round 67 at lunchtime Little had just a 30-minute break before teeing off again. He resumed with back-to-birdies and after turning in 35 picked up further strokes on the first, fourth and fifth.

Dougherty had an interesting day. He expected to be playing with Swede Peter Hedblom and Spaniard Jose Manuel Lara, but the former quit before the start because with rib trouble and Lara then withdrew after 10 holes with an ankle problem.

The 24-year-old Liverpudlian continued on his own and took the first-round lead with a 66. “It was good because I slowed everything down, even the way I talked,” he said.