Freddy Schott believes he can take a "lot of positives into the weekend" as he aims to reel in second-round leader Calum Hill at the 2026 Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship.
The German shared the overnight lead with Spain's Alejandro del Rey at seven under, but he immediately battled for supremacy with early starter Hill at Royal Golf Club.
Hill, going out in the second group of the day, birdied the first before adding a hat-trick from the fourth to reach nine under.
Schott reached that mark after a chip-in birdie on the opening hole and a gain at the third. Both men reached double figures by birdieing the ninth before Hill nudged ahead at the tenth by picking up another shot.
The leading Scot briefly moved three clear after birdies at the 13th and 14th, but Schott, playing two groups behind, went birdie-eagle on the same two holes to rejoin the lead at 13 under.
Hill closed his round with three straight birdies to equal the course record of 61 and reach 16 under for the tournament, while Schott sandwiched a birdie at the 17th with bogeys at the 15th and the last in his five-under 67.
The 24-year-old sits four shots back to become Hill's closest rival - France's Ugo Coussaud is just ahead of the logjammed chasing pack in third place at nine under - and Schott is thrilled with where his game is at in Bahrain.
"I really enjoyed playing today. My putting was good, so I’m looking forward to the weekend now," he said.
"I just went out and tried to do the same thing as yesterday. It worked out well. I had a good start to the round with a chip-in on one and got the flow a bit. I made a good eagle on 14.
"I feel good. I enjoy Bahrain. It’s a very, very nice track, especially if the wind picks up, it’s cool to play and it’s very enjoyable.
"The whole game. Putting as well. I’m good off the tee, so I can take a lot of positives into the weekend and try to get it rolling again."
