David Horsey set a clubhouse target of five under par on the back of an outstanding 66 in the Open de España, yet overnight leader Peter Uihlein picked up where he left off at Parador de El Saler.
Having begun the day one over, England’s Horsey caught fire either side of the turn having appeared set for a disappointing day when bogeys on the second and fifth overshadowed a birdie at three.
He turned things around in stunning fashion with birdies on three successive holes from the sixth. Clearly buoyed, Horsey produced even better on the way in as further gains came at ten, 13, 14 and 16 to leave him four under overall.
However, five under looked set to be dwarfed by a confident-looking Uihlein - who, having produced a late charge to move ahead yesterday, got under way by holing a 25 footer for birdie.
The 542 yard par five third also proved no challenge for the fledgling former US Amateur Champion, who lipped out a pitch for eagle and subsequently tidied up for another birdie.
Playing partner Raphaël Jacquelin, a shot further back, also started impressively by picking up shots at two and four, yet bogeyed the next after hooking his tee shot and being forced to drop.
