Sweden's Simon Forsstrom, who won the DP World Tour qualifying school last year, added a 67 to his opening 64 to enjoy a one-shot lead over South Korea's Jeong weon Ko at the halfway stage of the Soudal Open.
Forsstrom stands at 11 under.
Ireland's John Murphy made the cut on two under after he added a 71 to his opening 69. He started with a double bogey and a bogey but then added birdies on four, six, 11 and 16, before he ended with a bogey at the final hole.
Gary Hurley carded a disappointing 77 to finish on eight over and won't be around for the weekend.
Belgium's Thomas Detry remained in contention to claim an "absolute dream" first DP World Tour title on home soil.
Detry won the World Cup of Golf with Thomas Pieters in 2018 but has yet to taste victory in an individual event, coming closest when he lost out in a three-man play-off for the Scottish Open two years ago.
The 30-year-old, who has been competing on the PGA Tour in 2023 after earning his card via the Korn Ferry Tour, carded a second round of 66 at Rinkven International to reach nine under par, two shots behind Sweden's Simon Forsstrom.
England's James Morrison lies three shots off the lead on eight under par alongside France's Julien Brun and Sweden's Jens Dantorp. Scotland's Richie Ramsay is part of a large group another two strokes back following a 68 which included holing out from 125 yards for an eagle on the 17th.
