THERE are two new names at the top of the Brabazon Trophy leaderboard at Seaton Carew after solid mornings on another bright day on the fairways.

Southerness’ Scott Gibson and Island Golf Club’s Paul McBride hold the clubhouse lead after posting respective second round scores of 69 and 70 to climb to a five-under 141 total.

That means they have moved on a par with Cornwall’s Tom Fox, who has dropped a shot after coming off the 18 with a 74 to leave him four under. Norway’s Sebastian Mork Andersen and Bury’s Ciaran Doherty remain on five under are yet to tee of their second round.

Fox, assisted by club member and 1950s Hartlepool footballer Barry Parkes on the bag for the second day in a row, had edged to six under at the turn but then dropped a couple on the way back.

And Fox said: "He was great to have on my bag. We had to shut ourselves up a couple of times because we talked too much on the way round. He was a great help, a lovely fella and it's been good having him around.

"I mentioned the other day I needed a caddie and he said 'make it a pint and burger and we'll call it a deal'."

Interestingly Barry Stow, the Rushmore golfer, as started in fantastic fashion. Stow was two under through nine for the day and that has led to him soaring to six under ahead of some challenging holes on the back nine.

The sun is shining and there is only a slight breeze again, with the challenging Seaton Carew links yet to bare its teeth just yet. Locals are suggesting that the Brabazon course record 66 could be in serious danger.

Meanwhile, Hartlepool's Graeme Storm is the joint clubhouse leader at the BMW International Open after posting a bogey free 66 at Golf Club Gut Larchenhof.

Storm is leading the way alongside Denmark's Anders Hansen, Gary Stal and Andy Sullivan.