Scotland’s Marc Warren carded a five under par 67 to claim the clubhouse lead on day two of the NH Collection Open.
Warren reached the halfway stage five under par at La Reserva de Sotogrande Club de Golf, surpassing overnight leader and compatriot Jack Doherty.
Doherty had been among the late starters on day two, and two bogeys and a birdie over his opening three holes saw the 31 year old drop back to two under par.
Chile’s Felipe Aguilar sat second on four under following a round of 69, with Doherty and Welshman Bradley Dredge, who was still to start his second round after an opening 70, tied for third.
Warren started on the back nine and bogeyed the 12th, but the two-time European Tour winner had three birdies in four holes from the 15th to turn in 34.
Further gains at the third, seventh and ninth saw the 33 year old complete the best score of the week.
"My round didn't finish yesterday so I had to come back and play seven holes this morning and I played ok,” said Warren, who had a double bogey at the 13th but birdied the 15th to complete a 72 on resumption.
“At the start of the second round I struggled a bit with concentration, but once I got it going I played really good - long game was excellent, short game was good. I think I got the best out of my round today.
“Today and yesterday's conditions were pretty similar, obviously without the rain. The wind is going to stay pretty strong and it's going to be tough for the guys playing this afternoon.
“I have been playing well the last few weeks, getting stronger and stronger, so I was really looking forward to this event. It’s like a bonus event for us, coming at the last minute, and I am pleased to see how good the course actually is. I’m looking forward to the next two days.
“I like the course very much. If it was a perfect weather it would still be a good test, but with the strong winds we have here it gets really tough at times.”
