Grégory Bourdy hopes to cash in on his growing confidence by winning the Lyoness Open Powered by Greenfinity this weekend.
Two shots clear after a first round 65, the Frenchman doubled his advantage with a 67 on Friday to lie four shots ahead of compatriot Gary Stal and England’s Chris Wood.
Bourdy, who has now made an impressive 12 cuts in 14 starts this season with three top-ten finishes, said: “I have been playing well so the confidence has been growing, probably since the Spanish Open but I have been playing well all year – it was just a case of putting it all together.
“It’s always nice to be leading a tournament and that is why we practice so hard: to compete and to win events.
“Hopefully I can get a win this week but I have to stay focussed and play shot by shot and see where it takes me on Sunday.”
The four-time European Tour winner had been flawless on day one at Diamond Country Club, and was in similarly rich form with five birdies on the back nine after starting at the tenth.
The 33 year old, whose most recent victory came in Wales a couple of years ago, had a first bogey of the week on the first to check his progress, before a fist-pump followed his 13th birdie of the week on the sixth after an outstanding tee shot to five feet.
“It was a great day today – especially the way I started with five birdies on my front nine,” he added.
“Unfortunately I bogeyed my tenth hole but five under around here is very good.”
Like Bourdy, Stal and Wood have been playing some excellent golf this season.
Stal claimed a maiden European Tour title in Abu Dhabi either side of top-five finishes in South Africa and Dubai, while Wood won a BMW i8 at Wentworth last month for a hole-in-one as he finished fourth in the flagship BMW PGA Championship.
Three birdies in his last four holes, including a tap-in at the last after a brilliant tee shot, propelled Stal into a share of second.
“I am very pleased, especially with the finish today because it was a day that you had to be patient out there and then to finish with three birdies in the last four holes was very satisfying,” said Stal.
“I am playing well and driving the ball very well so I have a good chance at the weekend. I am happy to be in contention and it is great to have two French guys at the top of the leaderboard. Greg has played great but hopefully I can catch him at the weekend.”
Wood also finished strongly, the 27 year old following a gain at the 13th with consecutive birdies at the long 15th and 16th.
“It was getting very firm and bouncy which makes it a deceivingly tricky course at times,” said Wood, whose only European Tour title to date came in Qatar two years ago.
“I am happy with 69 today though because this is more barbeque weather than golf weather! It was a long day and one of those days to stay hydrated because it was very hot out there at points.
“I have to admit when I arrived at the course today and saw I was seven shots behind Greg I was a bit surprised but I can’t worry about what he is doing, I need to play my game and see if I can close the gap over the weekend.
“I knew before I came here that I was playing well and was expecting to be in contention so I am pleased to have done that.”
Spanish pair Rafa Cabrera-Bello and Carlos Pigem share fourth on seven under, while home favourite Bernd Wiesberger missed the cut on two over despite a gallant fight back from yesterday’s round of 79.
