Chris Wood was still out on his own in front as he resumed at The Celtic Manor Wales Open.
The Englishman still had Welshman Bradley Dredge and Australian Andrew Dodt one behind, as those playing their second rounds in the morning session endured mixed fortunes.
Maarten Lafeber of the Netherlands was the biggest morning mover, his three under par 68 taking him to a share of fourth on four under par.
The former Dutch Open winner birdied four of the back nine but consecutive dropped shots at the 12th and 13th prevented him catching Wood.
Spanish veteran Miguel Angel Jiménez matched Lafeber's 68 to also sit four under at halfway, along with his former Ryder Cup teammate Søren Hansen, who shot a 71..
But that went from only two behind to four behind as Wood birdied his second and third holes to reach eight under.
"Four under is not bad on this golf course, but I still feel like I'm a lot of shots back," said Dane Hansen.
"Chris Wood is playing really well, and I was looking at his name all day long. I felt if I could gain one on him today, go out to six and seven, that would be a nice number."
Wood birdied the second and third to extend his advantage, but a double bogey six on the fifth sent him back to six under.
With the entire field under way in their second rounds there was still no change to the top three, with Dodt and Dredge five under after five and one holes respectively.
