Englishman Daniel Brooks took a two-shot outright lead early on in the second round of the Pacific Rubiales Colombia Classic after he negotiated the front nine in one under par to move to five under par for the tournament.
Brooks was two shots clear of the chasing pack of Argentinian Sebastian L Saavedra, who was the clubhouse leader after a steady level par round of 72 alongside Chris Hanson of England, who shot a three under par 69, and Norwegian Espen Kofstad.
Brooks had a shaky start as the winds continued to provide a stern test for the players at Country Club de Barranquilla, bogeying his opening hole, the 10th before atoning with a birdie at the 11th. Another run of bogey-birdie at the 13th and 14th was followed by another birdie at the 16th as the 25 year old chased his first Challenge Tour victory.
Manuel Villagas, meanwhile, had an eventful start to his round with two birdies and two bogeys in his opening four holes, before his first double-bogey of the week at the sixth hole. He picked up a shot at the 11th hole but proceeded to bogey the par three 13th to leave him two over through 15 and two under par for the tournament.
Villegas was joined by another Colombian, 19 year old amateur Celia Ricardo, who carded three birdies in a superb front nine before a bogey on the 15th left him at two under through 15.
