Italian Francesco Molinari equalled the lowest halfway total of The European Tour season as he maintained his domination of the Portugal Masters in Vilamoura.
The 26 year old had matched the lowest round of his European Tour career with an opening nine under par 63 and by adding a 66 he went to 15 under.
That was three clear of South African Retief Goosen, England's Simon Khan and Spaniard Pablo Martin.
Defending champion Alvaro Quiros was one further back, while Justin Rose and Race to Dubai leader Rory McIlroy both scored 70 to stand nine under and five under respectively.
Molinari also began The 3 Irish Open with a 63 in May, but things did not continue quite so well there.
A day later he was disqualified for signing for a wrong score in his second round.
This time he covered the back nine in 31 with five birdies again and when he picked up another shot on the second hole the all-time European Tour record of 18 under for 36 holes - set by Ernie Els at Royal Melbourne five years ago - was definitely on.
He failed to birdie the two par fives, however, then bogeyed the short sixth before making two on the 168 yard eighth.
Goosen, who was in San Francisco for the Presidents Cup last week, produced a 64 to move alongside Martin (66) and Khan, who still had two to play.
It was in the Portuguese Open two years ago that Martin became the first amateur ever to win on the circuit, but he has struggled since and at 119th on this season's Race to Dubai is battling to keep his card. Only the top 115 retain their membership next month.
After turning in 35 Rose then double bogeyed the 446 yard first, but hit back with an eagle at the 566 yard third and birdied the next.
Lee Westwood, who has a chance to take over top spot on The Race to Dubai from McIlroy, was six under overnight and among the later starters.
“I have had a good couple of days and I have been playing very well,” said Molinari. “I am happy with everything in the game but I know that it is going to be a tough weekend.
“It would be really good to win or to finish well in a week like this, especially being in the end of the year."
On the course, Alastair Forsyth and Charl Schwartzel, who both shared second place with Rose overnight, advanced to 11 under with six and eight holes to play respectively.
