Alex Noren put himself in pole position to top the all European Tour Members group after another strong opening on day two of the WGC - Dell Technologies Match Play at Austin Country Club.
The Swede produced a winning start on day one with his 3 and 2 success over Thongchai Jaidee and he maintained that terrific form against Bernd Wiesberger, who also won on Wednesday.
Noren carded only one birdie on his front nine but some out of sorts iron play from his opponent gifted him a two up lead after 11 holes.
A blemish from Wiesberger on the second gave Noren the advantage before a bogey on the next secured the 34 year old a two up lead after the Austrian found the greenside bunker and the water for a triple-bogey seven.
Wiesberger's tee-shot at the fourth went out of bounds to put Noren three up through four holes and the World Number 11 extended that lead further at the sixth when he carded his first birdie of the round but returned to three up following a double-bogey on the seventh.
A birdie from the World Number 40 reduced the gap further but the Swede was still in control with seven holes remaining.
Francesco Molinari, who lost his opener to Wiesberger by two holes, was in danger of being eliminated as Jaidee raced into a six up lead from the first ten holes in the other Group 8 match.
A birdie on the first put Jaidee one up before he doubled his advantage after the Italian bogeyed the second with further blemishes at the fifth and sixth from Molinari handing the Thai player a comfortable four up lead.
Jaidee added back-to-back birdies at the eighth and ninth to extend the gap to a near unassailable six-hole lead with eight still left to play.
Tommy Fleetwood continued his recent rich vein of form to lead Brendan Steele one up through seven in their Group 16 encounter to support his one up victory over Zach Johnson yesterday.
A bogey on the third put the Englishman behind but he managed to restore parity with a concession following a wayward tee shot from Steele before Fleetwood took the lead for the first time on the seventh with a chip-in birdie.
Johnson, fresh from his final hole defeat to Fleetwood, led one up against Matt Kuchar after nine holes in the other Group 16 contest.
Martin Kaymer was in trouble in his Group 1 tie with World Number One Dustin Johnson as the American took a four up advantage after seven holes.
Jimmy Walker was one up over Webb Simpson through six in other Group 1 clash, with the losing player likely to be eliminated from the tournament.
Patrick Reed was one down to fellow American Kevin Kisner after 12 holes as both men searched for their first win in this year's competition.
Brooks Koepka, who is looking to make it two wins from two, led six up over Jason Dufner through 12 holes in their Group 9 match.
