Simon Forsström remained the man to catch at the halfway stage of the Soudal Open after posting a sensational 67 on Friday.
The 34-year-old began the day with a one-shot lead and managed to hold on to his slender advantage after carding five birdies and a single bogey in his second round to reach 11 under par.
Swede Forsström produced a series of magic moments on day two, going close to holing his tee-shot on the 15th before chipping in from the rough around the 6th green.
He heads into the weekend one stroke ahead of nearest challenger Jeong weon Ko after the Frenchman posted a second successive round of 66.
Home favourite Thomas Detry was then in solo third on nine under, with the Belgian star making seven birdies and two bogeys in his 66.
South Africa’s Wilco Nienaber shot a second successive 68 to share 12th position on six under. His round included an eagle, four birdies and three bogies.
Countrymen Thomas Aiken and Hennie du Plessis are a further two shots behind after carding 67 and 69 respectively.
Starting from the 10th tee, Forsström opened with five pars before notching a close-range birdie at the par-three 15th.
He picked up another birdie from 22 feet at the 1st but gave the shot straight back with his first bogey of the week at the 2nd.
After bouncing back with a seven-foot birdie on the 5th, Forsström made it two in a row in style as he chipped in having missed the green at the 6th.
Chip-in from Simon Forsström to take the lead! #SoudalOpen pic.twitter.com/XfD7vZc3MT
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) May 12, 2023
A birdie from the fringe at the 8th then lifted Forsström to 11 under, and he safely parred the 9th to remain at the top of the leaderboard as he looks to claim his maiden DP World Tour title.
“I only made one bogey so it was pretty solid,” he said. “I hit a lot of greens. I think I only chipped three times in two rounds so I think that’s the key.
“It’s been a good start so I feel it’s going to be a good experience to play tomorrow.”
– Edited report from DP World Tour website
