Day two digest: Saudi International

Everything you need to know from day two of the 2020 Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investments Advisers.

Perez powered on, Green gave chase, Kaymer fired an ominous warning and, as always, the golfing Gods were both kind and cruel on day two of the Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investments Advisers.

Here is everything you need to know from Friday at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club.

Perez right at home at Saudi summit

Victor Perez has a win, two seconds and a top five in his last eight events so he should be starting to feel comfortable at the top of leaderboards. A second consecutive 65 in the desert moved him to ten under and handed him a one shot lead over Gavin Green heading into the weekend in the desert. It's all the more impressive considering this is just his 37th European Tour event and he has revealed he is taking some inspiration from a veteran winning machine. "You see Lee Westwood winning in Abu Dhabi - he's been winning for so long, he knows his way around and what to do," he said. "He has a very clear idea of what he needs to do out there and I'm getting more comfortable out there. It's just about putting yourself in contention as much as possible and then you see how you play."

Friends reunited

Perez will feel even more comfortable in the final group on Saturday as he goes out in the company of good friend Green. The Malaysian followed up his opening 64 with a 67 as he looks for a first European Tour win, and is looking forward to locking horns with his former University of New Mexico roommate. "Playing with Victor tomorrow, I think it will be fun," he said. "It's just like college days again. It's been a while. I know he's been playing really good so I'll just have fun with him tomorrow."

Kaymer ready to win again

Martin Kaymer may be seven shots off the lead heading into the weekend but he is aiming to get into the winner's circle sooner rather than later. The German is a two time Major winner and Race to Dubai Champion but he has not touched silverware since winning the U.S. Open Championship in 2014. He has been working on adding some distance off the tee and after following two top 20s with an excellent 64 on Friday, he feels everything is moving in the right direction.

Antcliff making the most of it

A week ago the Saudi International was barely on Maverick Antcliff's radar - now he is teeing it up on the weekend. The Australian was in the United States when he discovered he was quickly moving down the entry list and decided to hop on a plane when he became the first reserve. He was awake at 1.30am due to jetlag and just hours later he was playing round one after Richard Sterne had to withdraw with a back injury. Here's the story in full from the man himself.

Lowry's great escape

They say that trees are 90 per cent air. We have absolutely no idea if that is true but on this evidence from Shane Lowry......................

Arnaus' bunker blues

If Shane was lucky, it seems he may have had some of Adri Arnaus' share of good fortune. This is hard to watch.