Ross Fisher carded a second round of 68 to claim a one-shot lead at the halfway stage of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship on Friday.
The Englishman, who lost a play-off to Alexander Levy in the Porsche European Open a fortnight ago, carded seven birdies and three bogeys on the Old Course at St Andrews, one of the three venues used for the pro-am event.
At 11 under par he enjoyed a one-shot lead over Sweden's Joakim Lagergren, whose 68 came at Kingsbarns, where first-round leader Alex Noren shot a 71 to finish nine under.
Shane Lowry is the best of the Irish, with his 68 today after Thursday’s level par round leaving him four under for the tournament and seven behind Fisher.
Ryder Cup star Thomas Pieters is five shots off the pace after a 68 at Kingsbarns, but was left to regret a double bogey on the 17th after six birdies in the previous 16 holes.
"Just a shame to finish with a double but I was going along nicely and making a few putts," said the Belgian, who claimed a record four points from five matches on his debut at Ryder Cup Hazeltine.
"That three-putt on 17 hurt but I am looking forward to playing St Andrews tomorrow.
"I didn't play a practice round on it because I was too tired, but I know the course. I've been here two or three times, so really looking forward to playing the Old Course."
European team-mate Martin Kaymer was a shot behind Pieters after his own 68 at Kingsbarns, but Lee Westwood - who failed to win a point from three matches at Hazeltine - was propping up the leaderboard on 13 over par after slumping to an 82 at the same venue.
Álvaro Quirós from downtown... ➡️➡️➡️🕳#DunhillLinks https://t.co/f5FTRRsDfC
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) October 7, 2016
Overnight leader Noren couldn't match his opening day heroics, but a steady one under second round sees him sitting in third, two shots behind the pace-setter.
