Matt Wallace held a commanding five-shot lead when darkness put a stop to play on day two of the weather-affected Open de Portugal at Morgado Golf Resort.
First-round leader Wallace fired six birdies in his opening 14 holes on Friday to get to 16 under par and stay bogey-free for the tournament so far.
Sebastian Heisele was alone in second on 11 under after carding three birdies and a single bogey in the first 12 holes of his second round.
Matthieu Pavon and Ashley Chesters were the leaders in the clubhouse on nine under after producing second round scores of 69 and 71 respectively.
England’s Wallace led by a single shot at the end of the first round in Portimão after carding ten birdies in a flawless 63 early on day one.
Play was suspended due to thunder and lightning on Thursday afternoon, with the entire second wave of players forced to finish their first rounds on Friday morning.
Many of those were soon back out on the course and had completed their second rounds before Wallace teed off at 4.55pm on Friday, but the 27 year old remained in front.
And Wallace, who won six Alps Tour events last season to earn his Challenge Tour card, extended his lead at the earliest opportunity with a birdie at the tenth – his first.
He then made back-to-back gains at the 12th and 13th before adding another birdie at the 16th on his way to reaching the turn in 33.
Wallace made further birdies at the first and third to get to 16 under and he was delighted with his display.
“It was definitely more of the same, but actually, I probably played better today,” said Wallace.
“I had to deal with the pressure, and also the difference in the condition of the course because we teed off at 4.55pm. I’ve never done that before. I think I dealt with everything really well today.
“I’m really happy with my performance. I holed a lovely putt on the last there to keep the momentum going, so I’m really pleased.”
Home favourite José-Filipe Lima was among the large group on eight under after following up his opening 67 with a 71 on Friday.
