LUCKLESS Lee James was left to rue the rub of the greens after taking 38 putts in the second round of a windswept Madeira Islands Open today.

The Parkstone-based professional's putting problems led to him carding a second round 79 for a seven-over-par halfway total.

A two-and-half hour delay caused by gusts up to 35mph meant there were still 72 players left to complete their rounds tomorrow morning.

But James, who was three shots short of the projected cut mark, wasted no time in catching an early flight home.

"It was a tough day in the wind, but I had no breaks going my way," James told the Daily Echo.

"I just could not sink enough putts. It's a shame because I hit the ball well today and missed only four greens but took 38 putts."

James, who had slipped from tied 30th to joint 98th overnight, began his day from the 10th tee with five consecutive pars.

But a dropped shot at the short 15th was compounded by a double bogey five at the 166-yard 17th hole.

And his chances of qualifying for the final two rounds took another double blow with a seven at the par five third hole.

James also dropped shots at the sixth and ninth.

Wimborne-based Gary Emerson, meanwhile, was nine over par after seven holes when the klaxon sounded this evening.

Emerson began his day with two consecutive double bogeys before birdies at the following two holes.

But further dropped shots at the sixth and seventh left him a mountain to climb to make the qualifying mark.

South African Hennie Otto opened up a four-shot lead after carding his second successive 67 for a 10-under-par total - four ahead of overnight Sven Struver who had played just nine holes.