Italy's Francesco Molinari was delighted to recover from a poor start to retain top spot on the second day of the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club.
Molinari saw his two-shot overnight lead wiped out with two bogeys in the first three holes, but played the remaining 15 in five under to add a 69 to his opening 65 and set the clubhouse target of ten under par.
That was two shots ahead of in-form Argentinian Emiliano Grillo, who carded a superb 65, with Open de España winner James Morrison another shot back after a 66.
Three-time European Tour winner Molinari, who has recorded three consecutive top-ten finishes in this event and was joint second behind Morrison in Barcelona on Sunday, said: "I'm really happy.
"The start is really tricky the first three holes. I think I played them okay. My chipping wasn't good enough on the first and on the third to save par. I managed to steady the ship and made a few birdies coming in at the end, so a good day.
Grillo holed a bunker shot on the 12th and then hit his approach from 255 yards to a matter of inches on the 18th to set up another eagle.
"I am enjoying the moment and playing well and being in contention is what I need. If I keep knocking someone is going to open the door," said Grillo, who is looking to win his first European Tour event after finishing 11th, third and sixth in his last three tournaments.
"I've been looking for a win since I turned pro and it's going to come soon. There's a lot going on when you are in contention and you have to be prepared.
Morrison, who held a four-shot lead at halfway in this event three years ago before finishing tenth, had been four over par after 11 holes of his opening round before kick-starting a revival by holing a bunker shot on the 12th for eagle.
The 30 year old, whose four-shot win in Barcelona came five years after his maiden win in Madeira, lives just 20 minutes from Wentworth but discovered on Thursday evening that staying at home is not always an advantage due to a power cut.
"I thought we had been burgled at first," said Morrison. "I couldn't even charge my phone and a cold shower this morning at 5:30 was no fun."
Morrison played cricket in the same England youth teams as Alastair Cook, Ravi Bopara and Tim Bresnan, but added: "I think I made the right decision. Standing around in the field for four days is not so appealing.
