Gavin Green joined Jordan Smith at the top of the Portugal Masters leaderboard after another day of low scoring in Vilamoura on Friday.
Englishman Smith started the day with a one-shot lead following Thursday’s sparkling 62 but found himself trailing Green with two holes left to play on Friday, having mixed four birdies with two bogeys in his first 16 holes.
However, Smith got up and down for a birdie on the long 17th before holing his 21-foot putt from the rough around the 18th green to pick up another shot, sign for a second-round 67 and join Green in the clubhouse on 13 under par.
Malaysia’s Green, who began his round 10 minutes before Smith on Friday morning, made seven birdies and a single bogey in his 65.
Finn Tapio Pulkkanen and Frenchman Benjamin Hebert were one shot back in a tie for third after they both followed up opening 66s with matching 64s to remain bogey-free after 36 holes at Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course.
South Africa’s Wilco Nienaber is on eight under (T22) after shooting a second-round 66 that included seven birdies and two bogeys.
– Report from DP World Tour website
