Pablo Larrazábal showed once again he has the tools to tame Valderrama as he opened up a one-shot lead early on day two of the Real Club Valderrama Open de España, Hosted by the Sergio Garcia Foundation.
The home favourite came into the second round two shots behind overnight leader Alexander Levy after an opening day which saw just 15 players break par despite favourable conditions.
The course continued to bare its teeth on a windier Friday, with just six of the early starters under par on the day and they were led by Larrazábal, who turned in 33 after starting on the tenth to get to six under.
The 32 year old stated after his opening 68 that he was enjoying the tough conditions, and felt that if he could hold on to his three under total, that may be enough to win the tournament.
"I like tough courses," he said. "I don't like starting the day thinking you have to shoot six under par to be at the top. I like knowing level par is a good score and I know if I have three rounds of level par, I will win this tournament."
Birdies on the 11th, 12th and 17th set him on course to record a second consecutive under par total as the rest of the field struggled to keep pace.
Defending champion James Morrison and Spaniard Alejandro Cañizares were both three over at the turn to drop to one under for the week, with the rest of the leading pack due out later in the day.
Levy was at five under, with Andrew Johnston and Stuart Manley a shot back, and Jordi Garcia Pinto, Martin Kaymer, Joakim Lagergren and Richie Ramsay all at two under.
Challenge Tour winner Ricardo Gouveia got himself to level par for the week with a birdie on the sixth while Mikko Ilonen and Peter Hanson were both two under for the day and two over for the week.
Soren Hansen was also two under for the day to get to nine over after an opening 82.
