Ireland’s Des Smyth continued to set the pace after a "workmanlike" performance in the second round of the Algarve Portuguese Open at Le Meridien Penina.
Smyth, the third oldest player in the field, shot a level par 72 for a halfway score of six under par 138, to hold a one shot lead over Sweden’s Fredrik Jacobson and American Bob May.
"Yesterday was a blast," said Smyth. "There’s no point thinking that can happen every time. Today was more workmanlike. I’m delighted to have put two good rounds together. I’m in a tournament now. I only played one really bad shot and that was missing a two foot putt on the sixth. But overall I’m very pleased."
The lead changed hands throughout the afternoon and with only four holes left of the second round Jacobson was heading the field but three consecutive bogeys before a final birdie for a round of 71 saw him slip behind Smyth. The young Swede, who played magnificently to finish runner up after a play-off with Lee Westwood in the Belgacom Open last year to secure his Tour card for the 1999 season, has been struggling with a back injury over the winter.
"I hoped to carry my form from Belgacom into the new season but instead spent seven weeks on a couch," he said. "I lost my rhythm over the last few holes as it was starting to get cold but overall feeling good."
Also on five under par is May who already has four top ten finishes under his belt this season, the best being tied second in the Benson and Hedges Malaysian Open. A shot further back is a group of six players including Qatar Masters champion Paul Lawrie.
The cut fell on 147, three over par. 77 players qualified for the weekend.
