Pablo Larrazabal shot a six under par 66 for the second day running to take the clubhouse lead during the second round of the BMW International Open in Munich.
The former Open de France winner birdied his last two holes for a bogey free round to advance to 12 under par.
That was enough to give the Spaniard a two stroke advantage over Argentina's Ariel Canete, Austrian Markus Brier and Scot Paul Lawrie.
"Yesterday was a very solid 66 - I hit the ball great yesterday - and today I started making those birdies," said the 27 year old.
"On the front nine, I made only one fairway to shoot two under. So was a little bit taking it slow around, and then I start to play great golf.
"I made birdie on 11, then 15 I made birdie having 45 yards to the flag as my second shot. Great save on 14.
"I didn't play that good, I just made some putts at the end, some great putts at the end."
Canete had five birdies and two dropped shots in his round of 69.
"I played well today. Still my putter helped me a lot, but I'm confident, playing nice," said Canete, who is on a medical exemption having been plagued by shoulder problems recently.
Brier eagled the 18th for a 67 as he looks to make it back-to-back Austrian winners on The European Tour following Martin Wiegele's Saint-Omer Open presented by Neuflize OBC triumph last week.
"It looks good so far," he said. "Today was a good start - I made a few birdies in the beginning and a little slower on the back but the eagle made up for everything. I haven't made a bogey so far in the tournament. I think that's the key."
Lawrie, who on Sunday saw Graeme McDowell finally end his run as the last Brit to win a Major, posted a seven birdie 65.
"Yesterday I didn't make many putts but today I played nicely and putted nicely," he said. "Holed my fair share today, which is nice."
On the course overnight joint-leader Bradley Dredge eagled the 11th, his second, to join the group on ten under.
Pete Whiteford, who shared the first round lead on eight under, was amongst the later starters.
