Ryder Cup star Peter Hanson was among those to take advantage as consecutive bogeys saw Grégory Bourdy relinquish the outright lead on day two of the Omega European Masters.
Bourdy, who kicked off the tournament with a sizzling 63 at Crans-sur-Sierre, moved to nine under for the tournament with an opening birdie this morning.
However, the Frenchman’s first bogey of the week followed at the seventh and, with his putter running cold, he then dropped further shots at 10 and 11.
At six under, he was joined by Phillip Price, David Howell, Danny Willett and Hanson, who chipped in at the third, his 12th hole, for a fifth birdie.
Michael Campbell briefly joined the group at five under following a stunning start to his second round.
The 2005 US Open Champion, now ranked 707th in the world, climbed more than 40 places with the aid of four birdies, including three in a row from the fifth.
However, the New Zealander then undid much of his hard work with a double bogey seven at the ninth and another dropped shot followed at the next.
