Sweden's Pelle Edberg was in a league of his own with a second round 64 in cold and windy Mallorca.
It brought him into the joint lead with South African James Kingston, who was able to add only a level par 70 to his pacesetting opening 65.
They were three clear of the field at the halfway stage of the Iberdrola Open Cala Millor Mallorca, Welshman Stuart Manley's 68 bringing him into a tie for third on two under with Spaniards Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño and Alejandro Cañizares.
Six months after losing his European Tour card and then failing to win it back at the Qualifying School, Edberg has had only limited opportunities this season.
But the 31 year old known for his colourful headbands has already recorded one top-ten finish and now a first victory is in his sights at Pula after the joint lowest round of his career.
Edberg, out in 32 before picking up further shots on the fifth, sixth and eighth, was on the last fairway when a thunderstorm halted play for over two hours.
"I got a par on the last hole that felt like a birdie," he said. "The thunderstorm was pretty close when we stopped, so I couldn't finish the hole.
"I had 165 metres to the pin on the ninth and was practising with a seven iron, but when I got back on the course after the delay it was a soft nine iron," he said.
"It was crazy. Even that pitched by the hole and finished 15 metres behind.
"I didn't expect 64, but I played really well tee-to-green and gave myself opportunities.
"I like this golf course. I played here in 2005 and I think the changes are great. It's a tough course and a great challenge"
Kingston, who got the worst of the conditions, was left bemused by the fact he could not break par.
“I had a decent score, but today’s round was probably the most frustrating that I have played in a while,” said the South African.
“It’s unbelievable to finish level par after playing for a much better score. But I can’t complain as I’m still at the top of the leaderboard.”
Cañizares performance further enhances his chances of leading the first re-ranking of players in category 11.
The re-rank sees players who earned their cards at Qualifying School or from places 11-20 given playing preferences based on money earned on The Race to Dubai.
"My game hasn't changed over the last tournaments, only my confidence and my mental approach," said the Spaniard.
"Instead of worrying about missing, I feel confident and I want to be up there.
"If the weather remains like this, the winning score will not be low, probably in single figures."
On the resumption the temperature had dropped markedly and the wind created havoc on some holes.
Ireland's Gary Murphy was tied for third at three under, but double bogeyed the eighth and 11th holes and then triple bogeyed the next.
At the end of the day only seven players were under par, England's Andrew Marshall and Scot Jamie McLeary both scoring 69 to stand one under.
"The course has become a monster. It's brutal out there," said Marshall.
