Siem retains the lead at Trophee Hassan

Germany's Marcel Siem stayed on course for a last-gasp place at the Masters when he retained his lead at the Trophee Hassan on Friday, a second round 68 following his opening 64. The 32-year-old, on 12-under at the halfway stage, is three shots ahead of Finland's Mikko Ilonen and England's David Horsey, the 2011 champion. Siem needs to win the tournament to stand any chance of climbing into the world top 50 and earning a debut Masters appearance in Augusta next month. On Friday, he carded seven birdies and three bogeys at Golf du Palais Royal. "I am trying my best (to get to the Masters). It is a tournament I have always wanted to play and if I can keep calm and play the way that I have been for the first two days here then I have a chance," said the German. "I hope the wind blows a little bit more because I enjoy the challenge of playing into the wind and it would also keep the guys behind me away from me because if there is no wind out there then people can go very low around this course." Ilonen had seven birdies, an eagle, a bogey and a double bogey seven in an eventful 66 while Horsey carded 67.