
The Spaniard began the day three shots off the overnight lead held by HP Bacher at Karen Country Club but a flying start, with birdies at the second and third, proved a sign of things to come.
A bogey at the seventh hole meant he reached the turn in two under but back to back birdies at the 11th and 12th was followed by a superb up and down for birdie at the 15th and while he dropped a shot at the 16th, he bounced straight back with a gained shot at 17 to move out in front on seven under.“I played really well today from the very start,” said Garcia Pinto. “After the early birdies I was very relaxed and just enjoyed the day.
“I hit a lot of fairways and a lot of greens, whereas yesterday I missed a lot of greens, so it was important to get those early birdies.“I was very calm and relaxed. I like this course a lot. My coach Joan Anglada played here about 25 years ago when he played on The European Tour and he said the course was perfect for me. It’s tricky but I like it.”
David Law of Scotland was two shots further back in the clubhouse after adding a two under par second round 69 to his opening 68 to move to five under while José-Filipe Lima was a shot further back on four under for the tournament.