Grégory Bourdy carded a best-of-the-week 66 to move into a one shot clubhouse lead during the second round of the Reale Seguros Open de España.
The 30 year old Frenchman, who won the last of his three European Tour titles in 2009, carded eight birdies and two bogeys at Reale Club de Golf de Sevilla, where although the rain had subsided, strong winds and thick rough still caused plenty of problems.
At five under par Bourdy held a one shot advantage over Italian teenager Matteo Manassero, Spaniard Jorge Campillo and English pair Simon Dyson and Robert Rock.
Campillo increased the prospects of a home winner on the 100th anniversary of the tournament as The Challenge Tour graduate signed for a 72, although it could have been even better.
The 25 year old, already a runner-up at the Avantha Masters during his rookie campaign, recovered from an opening bogey at the tenth with birdies at the 12th, 13th and 16th to turn two under par for the day.
Campillo had his second bogey of the week at the second, but chipped in at the fourth to go back in front, only to miss makeable par putts at the fifth and seventh.
Abu Dhabi winner Rock hit his approach to five feet at the fourth for one of three birdies, but there were also three bogeys in his 72.
“This is a fantastic course, I like it better every time we come,” said Rock. “Today the pin positions were much tougher and I didn’t play as well, but my driving was good.”
Manassero, still only 19, had three birdies and a single bogey in a two under 70, while Dyson eagled the ninth - his last - for a 69.
Of the afternoon starters, Italian Ryder Cup star Francesco Molinari was best placed to mount a challenge.
The 29 year old was level par through four holes and two under for the week.
Four birdies in the last six holes swept Bourdy into the lead, after he started the day joint 37th after an opening 73.
“I’m very happy about this round, particularly in these conditions,” said Bourdy. “Yesterday one over was not so bad in that wind, but today I played really well, I felt comfortable and very solid, very consistent and I also made some important putts, so I’ll try to keep going like this.
“This is good for my confidence for the rest of the week and the next tournaments coming.
“The greens were better today, and if it keeps dry we could have very good greens for the weekend.”
Overnight leader Shaun Micheel, the former US PGA Champion, could only manage a 77.
Dyson closed with a 12 foot eagle putt on the long ninth and was delighted with how his new belly putter was working.
"I've been struggling with my holing out and just lost a bit of confidence,” he said. “I'm finding it harder to get the pace now, but I seem to be starting it on line a lot more consistently."
