The race for the inaugural Pacific Rubiales Colombia Classic moved up a gear midway through the second round at Country Club de Barranquilla as Scotsman Jamie McLeary took to the top on six under, a shot clear of the chasing English trio of Philip Archer, Nick Dougherty and Chris Hanson.
In more favourable conditions on 'moving day', the only way was up as McLeary carded three successive birdies from the par five fourth hole, which he bogeyed the previous day before battling back to a three under par second round of 69.
European Tour winner Archer also made a flying start with three birdies in his opening six holes, at the second, fourth and fifth to move to five under for the tournament.
He was soon joined by another experienced campaigner, three-time European Tour winner Nick Dougherty as he picked up from where he left off with a bogey-free opening six holes, birdieing the second and fifth holes to also move to five under.
Hanson, meanwhile, was two under through three holes as he looks to put an early win on the board in his debut season on the Challenge Tour.
Two shots back in tied fifth were two more of England’s finest, 2010 Apulia San Domenico Grand Final winner Matt Haines and Tyrrell Hatton.
