Tyrrell Hatton backed up his opening round of 63 with a second round five-under-par 65 to hold a three-shot lead in the British Masters, where Paul Dunne and Shane Lowry are lurking with intent.
The British world number 29 coped admirably with the wet conditions in Newcastle in the north east of England, carding six birdies to sit 12 under at the halfway stage.
"I'm really happy with the first two days and hopefully I can continue that and take that into the weekend", said Hatton.
"I'd like to play as well as I can and climb up the world rankings and secure (a place) in all four majors again next year."
Dunne sits six shots off the lead on -6 after a round of 68 which included three birdies and just one bogey.
Lowry is alongside Dunne on -6 but had a much more eventful round, as he made a real charge, claiming four birdies in the first seven holes before two bogeys and two more birdies saw him sign for a 66.
The leaderboard is dominated by Englishmen, with Ashley Chesters, Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter and Chris Hanson joined by Sweden's Robert Karlsson in second on nine under."
Graeme Storm is a shot further back on eight under, with Graeme McDowell recovering from four-putting the 18th on Thursday to lie six under after a 68.
Rory McIlroy's second round did not get off to the best of starts. The world number six carded two bogeys in his opening five holes, but three birdies followed, ensuring he made the cut, trailing Hatton by eight shots.
One major winner who failed to make the cut was Masters champion Garcia. The Spanish world number 10 could only muster one birdie all round as his tournament came to a premature end.
