Andy Sullivan opened up a three-shot lead early on day two of the Portugal Masters as the morning starters looked on course to post low scores at Oceånico Victoria Golf Club.
The Englishman had held a share of the lead overnight alongside Nicolas Colsaerts after posting an opening 64 and he picked up four shots on his first nine on Friday to move to 11 under, three shots clear of Alvaro Quiros.
The 28 year old is looking for a third title of the season after winning the The South African Open Championship Hosted by the City of Ekurhuleni and the Joburg Open earlier in the season and got off to a flying start in his second round by birdieing the tenth.
He followed that with another gain on the 13th and when he picked up a further shot on the 15th, he was the first man this week into double figures. Another birdie on the 17th then followed as he turned in 32.
Quiros also got off to a quick start with birdies on the tenth and 11th but he gave a shot back before another pair of back-to-back gains on the 15th and 16th.
Another birdie on the 18th followed to turn in 32 and he was eight under after ten holes.
Countryman Eduardo de la Riva had finished birdie-birdie on Thursday to get to six under but soon gave those shots back in his second round with bogeys on the first and third.
He picked up a shot on the fourth but surrendered that on the seventh before three birdies in four holes catapulted him up to seven under through 11.
Afternoon starter Colsaerts was also on seven under with a group of six players a further shot back.
Bernd Wiesberger was three under for his round through ten holes while Thomas Bjørn and Romain Wattel were both two under for the day just after the turn.
Thomas Aiken had made the turn in level par while Thomas Pieters and David Drysdale were among the later starters.
Tommy Fleetwood played the back nine, his front, in 33 to get to five under while Craig Lee was also at that mark after playing his first eight holes in one under par.
