Nino Bertasio carded a second-round 69 and will enter the weekend at the Portugal Masters with a two-shot advantage.
The Italian finished his second day at the Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course with three birdies against one bogey to settle on 12-under par.
“I didn’t expect anything similar from yesterday,” said Bertasio of his opening-round 61. “A solid day. I didn’t make many putts, the greens were a bit bumpy towards the end.
“I made three birdies out there and they were inside two feet so I didn’t make much out there but I’ll take it.
“A good second round in, tomorrow starts the weekend, basically a new tournament and I’m looking forward to it.”
Belgium’s Thomas Pieters and Frenchman Matthieu Pavon carded matching low-round 64s to sit T2 on 10 under, alongside Denmark’s Lucas Bjerregaard (65) and Spaniard Adri Arnaus (67).
Englishmen Callum Shinkwin (65) and Sam Horsfield (65) were one and two further back, respectively.
2021 Portugal Masters
Leaderboard: Top 10
Pos-Player-To Par-(Rd 2)
1. Nino Bertasio -12 (-2)
2. Thomas Pieters -10 (-7)
2. Matthieu Pavon -10 (-7)
2. Lucas Bjerregaard -10 (-6)
2. Adri Arnaus -10 (-4)
6. Callum Shinkwin -9 (-5)
7. Sam Horsfield -8 (-5)
8. Gavin Green -7 (-2)
8. Richard Bland -7 (-6)
8. Grant Forrest -7 (-4)
8. Oliver Wilson -7 (-4)
