Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño carded a flawless five under par 66 in his second round to establish the early clubhouse lead at the CASTELLÓ MASTERS Costa Azahar in Spain.
The 30 year old from Madrid picked up three shots on his outward nine holes after starting at the tenth before birdieing the par five fourth and then converting from 30 feet at the ninth, his last.
That put the former British Masters champion eight under overall following his opening 68, and Fernandez-Castaño insists his recent problems with the putter are behind him.
"At the moment, believe it or not, I'm quite confident with my putter," he said. "I can see the ball rolling where I want it so it's good.
""I'm playing well, I'm playing steady golf. Only one bogey on the first two rounds which is a bit of a surprise for me. Normally my rounds are a bit of a rollercoaster!
"But I hope to keep it that way for the weekend. I think I need to improve my wedge game if I'm going to win so that's what I'm going to do this afternoon."
Argentina's Ricardo Gonzalez, the overnight leader alongside Scotland's Paul Lawrie after opening 64s, was one shot behind Fernandez-Castaño following a level par 71.
Swede Christian Nilsson was also a shot off the pace after a 67, which included a remarkable birdie at the last.
With his ball close to a tree after a wayward drive the 31 year old played an incredible approach to four feet.
"It was pretty tricky - I had about 100 metres to the pin from the woods on the left and I had no follow through at all, so I was just trying to get it to the front edge but it turned out a lot better than that," said Nilsson.
"I've been playing good the two days and holed a few putts so I'm in the hunt."
Spain's Alvaro Velasco then moved into a share of second with a back nine 31, which saw the 29 year old - in need of a big week to secure his card for next season - sign for a joint best-of-the-week 64.
On the course Frenchman Grégory Bourdy was three under for the day through eight to join the group on seven under, but Lawrie was one over for his second round through four.
And Sergio Garcia and José Maria Olazábal were both one under for the day through seven holes as they continued their return to action.
