France’s Alexander Levy stormed four shots clear during the second round of the 20th Volvo China Open at Genzon Golf Club.
Levy started the day with the par five 18th to play from his opening round after bad light curtailed Thursday’s play; but the 23 year old could only manage a par to remain a shot behind first round leaders Simon Dyson and Alvaro Quiros.
After a swift turnaround the former Qualifying School graduate, who has a best finish of third on The European Tour, fired four birdies and an eagle from 25 feet at the long ninth to turn in 30, before gaining further shots at the tenth and 12th.
That took Levy to 12 under par, four ahead of compatriot Raphaël Jacquelin, with Finland’s Mikko Ilonen a shot further back in third.
Jacquelin had six birdies against a single bogey in his round of 67, while Ilonen posted a blemish-free 68.
Tommy Fleetwood and Park Il-hwan were tied on six under, while a shot further back Dyson and Quiros – both yet to tee off – had been joined by Scott Richie Ramsay.
Defending champion Brett Rumford had birdied his opening hole to move into a share of the lead, but five bogeys dropped him back into the pack.
