Maverick Antcliff and Matthew Southgate sit atop the leaderboard after 36 holes of the 54-hole Porsche European Open.

The Aussie Antcliff shot a second-day 68 at Green Eagle Golf Courses to reach 5 under. His round was highlighted by a closing hat trick of birdies on Nos. 16-18.

“I’m hitting fairways, greens, if you get a good number or angle take advantage of it,” said Antcliff, who will be in search of his maiden European Tour win.

“Keep doing the same. Good golf gets you into good positions, keep doing that, good results happen.”

He was joined in the marquee position by England’s Southgate, who carded a 3-under 69, which included five birdies against two bogeys.

“I’ve driven it particularly well,” said Southgate, who’ll also be looking to breakthrough with his first tour win.

“It’s a strength of my game. Every tee I’ve taken a couple of deep breaths and stick to the process of what I do every week.

“The fairways are narrow for everyone and I’ve thought for a while that I’m one of the best drivers of the ball in the world, so just trying to have positive thoughts, let it go, don’t steer it from the tee and it’s worked through 36 holes.

“There’s a lot of power players out here and when you play with guys who hit it 20-30 yards offline and they can get away with it it’s tough to compete.

“But when the rough is up and the bunkers are there and the fairways are narrow, I think it makes it a level playing field and your skill sets have got to stand up to the test.”

The lead pair sit one shot clear of Dutchman Darius Van Driel (69), Italy’s Edoardo Molinari (65) and Scotsmen Scott Jamieson (70) and David Law (71).

Overnight leader Thomas Detry of Belgium carded a 73 and sits T7 alongside Finn Mikko Korhonen (67).

2021 Porsche European Open

Top-5 Leaders: Round 2

Pos-Player-To Par (Rd 2)
1. Matthew Southgate -5 (-3)
1. Maverick Antcliff -5 (-4)
3. Eduardo Molinari -4 (-7)
3. David Law -4 (-1)
3. Darius Van Driel -4 (-3)
3. Scott Jamieson -4 (-2)