Oban’s Robert MacIntyre carded the lowest round of his European Tour career to move four shots clear at the halfway stage of the Porsche European Open in Hamburg.
The 23-year-old is chasing a first victory on the main tour after runner-up finishes at Made in Denmark and the British Masters earlier this season.
The Glencruitten member followed up an opening 68 with a 65 to reach 11 under with German Bernd Ritthammer his closest challenger on seven under.
MacIntyre’s round, which included seven birdies and no dropped shots, is his lowest since graduating from the Challenge Tour.
The left-hander is embracing the challenge of trying to convert a four-shot lead at the halfway stage into a win over the weekend.
He said: “It is going to be tough, especially when it is my first time with such a lead on either the European Tour or the Challenge Tour.
“I am just going to have to learn from this experience.
“I am doing the right things on and off the course.
“I am nice and relaxed and everything at home is brilliant.
“I am in the right mindset for going out there this weekend.”
MacIntyre, who has won £945,000 in prize money this season, added: “I feel my game has improved throughout the season.
“My coach Dave (Burns) is on the bag this week and he is doing a great job. I can only control what I can control and that is swinging the golf club at each individual shot.
“That is all I’m going to do over the weekend so hopefully I can keep that going.”
MacIntyre was the only Scot to make the halfway cut with Grant Forrest, Liam Johnston, Richie Ramsay (all +5), Duncan Stewart (+6), Marc Warren (+7) and David Drysdale (+12) missing out.
Meanwhile, Paul O’Hara was crowned as the new Scottish PGA champion at Downfield after defeating overnight leader Alastair Forsyth at the second extra hole after the pair had tied on 15-under-par at the Dundee venue.
O’Hara signed off with a bogey-free 69 to finish with his 277 total, which Forsyth, the 2000 winner, was on course to beat until a double-bogey 7 at the 14th left him having to settle fora closing 71.
