Peter Lawrie turned in a one over par 37 to leave six players tied for the lead during the second round of the Sicilian Open.
The 38 year old Irishman led overnight after an opening course record 64 at Verdura Golf Resort & Spa, but mixed two bogeys with a single birdie after starting his second round on the back nine.
The former Open de España winner then bogeyed the first, but a birdie at the third brought him back into a share of the lead with Wales’ Jamie Donaldson, England’s David Lynn, Austrian Bernd Wiesberger, Dutchman Maarten Lafeber and Dane Søren Kjeldsen.
Donaldson, seeking a first European Tour title in his 249th appearance, carded three birdies and three bogeys over his first 13 holes, Lynn was two under with three to play, Wiesberger two under through 12, Lafeber three under for the day after ten, and Kjeldsen was amongst the afternoon starters.
On a very congested leaderboard nine players were tied for seventh just one off the pace, and an incredible 31 players were within two shots of the lead.
