Justin Rose posted a second-straight round of 65 and will take a two-shot lead into the weekend at the Turkish Airlines Open at Regnum Carya Golf & Spa Resort.
The Englishman finished his second day in defense of his 2017 title with a card comprised of a single bogey against seven birdies, highlighted by a final-hole gain to reach 12 under for the tournament.
“I played catch-up here last year and other guys are capable of doing that this year,” said Rose, who with a win would return to world No. 1.
“I think as I’ve shot two 65s, you can always have somebody from the chasing pack do the same thing.
“For me it’s about keeping moving forward this week. Even par is not really going to get it done, so you have to have the mentality of keep moving forward.”
Thorbjorn Olesen, playing alongside Rose in the opening two rounds, held a share of the lead through 17 holes, but a birdie on the 18th by the Englishman coupled with a bogey by the Dane created a two-shot separation. Olesen signed for a 67 and was T2, joining Eglishmen Tom Lewis (63) and Danny Willett (65) at 10-under par.
A group of four players were one further back at 9 under, including Spaniard Adrian Otaugui (65), Frenchman Alex Levy (66), Chinese Li Haotong (67), and England’s Sam Horsfield (67).
Rounding out the top 10 was Tommy Fleetwood, also of England, who carded a second-day 66 to sit 8 under, alongside Aussie Jason Scrivener (67).
2018 Turkish Airlines Open
Second Round: The Top 5
Pos-Player-To Par (Today)
1. Justin Rose -12 (-6)
2. Thorbjorn Olesen -10 (-4)
2. Danny Willett -10 (-6)
2. Tom Lewis -10 (-8)
5. Adrian Otaugui -9 (6)
5. Alex Levy -9 (-5)
5. Li Haotong -9 (-4)
5. Sam Horsfield -9 (-4)
9. Tommy Fleetwood -8 (-5)
9. Jason Scrivener -8 (-4)
By the Numbers
Low Round: Tom Lewis (63)
High Round: Andrea Pavan and Ross Fisher (75)
Bogey-Free Rounds: Tom Lewis (63), Hideto Tanihara (64), Thomas Aiken (65), Adrian Otaugui (65), Joost Luiten (66), Alex Levy (66), Tommy Fleetwood (66), Sam Horsfield (67), Jason Scrivener (67), Martin Kaymer (69)
