Flanagan in windy round

NICK Flanagan held it together in increasingly tricky conditions yesterday to claim a share of the halfway lead with fellow Australian Jason Scrivener at the Vic Open.

Flanagan had bolted out of the blocks with a spectacular opening round of 10-under 62 at 13th Beach on Thursday.

But the 2003 US Amateur champ was even more satisfied with his four-under 68 yesterday as the wind picked up late in the day, with conditions predicted to get tougher again over the weekend.

“Yesterday was a bit of a surprise but at the same time I played well and got everything out of my game,” Flanagan said. “I was probably happier with today’s round, considering it was backing up that 62.”

The situation is much different for Scrivener, who is in career-best form. The West Australian has recorded three top-10 finishes in his past four European Tour events.