Lambert leads in Biarritz

Australian Lorraine Lambert surged into the lead in the second round of the Biarritz Classic, at La Phare Golf Club, the final event of the Evian Ladies European Tour, to reach six under par after 15 holes.

She shares the top spot with Jehanne Jail, the overnight leader, who carded a 63 yesterday but dropped a shot while completing her first three holes of the second round.

Nina Karlsson of Sweden has completed 36 holes to be on five under par alongside Order of Merit leader Raquel Carriedo who has only completed 18 holes.

French amateur Sophie Giquel who also fired 63 yesterday is on four under par after dropping shots.

The £100,000 Biarritz event brings to an end the
three-year tenure of Tim Howland as Chief Executive of the Evian Ladies European Tour. He aims to take up new responsibilities with the World Sport Group, which lifted the Tour out of the doldrums.

Mette Hageman, Chairman of the Evian Tour Board said:
"Over the past three years the Tour has enjoyed significant improvement and whilst the commitment of the WSG , who operate the commercial arm of the Tour, remains in place, Tim has expressed a desire to work moreclosely with other projects that the company manage.

"We are all extremely grateful for his personal input in the development of the Tour since 1998 and we wish him well."

The Tour will not be making a direct replacement for the joint CEO role, which will be divided between Ian Randell, existing Director of Tour Operations, and Robin Gibson, the new Commercial Director who arrived from TaylorMade-adidas two months ago.

Randell said: "The last three years have seen the Tour take giant strides in playing standards and as a business. We have a very bright future ahead with an excellent mix of emerging talent challenging the established star names."