Saturday 19 September 2015 16:13, UK
Jens Fahrbring defied illness to earn a share of the halfway lead at the Italian Open in Monza.
Fahrbring, who won in the Czech Republic on the Challenge Tour in May but had missed the cut in all four of his European Tour events this year, fired an eight-under 64 to join playing partner Lucas Bjerregaard at the top of the leaderboard on 13 under par.
The Swede carded nine birdies and just one dropped shot, while Denmark's Bjerregaard kept a bogey off his card and collected five birdies as well as an eagle at the first - his 10th.
Fahrbring said: "I am quite surprised where I am because I was not well at the start of this week. I picked up a cold and a fever last week in Kazakhstan, so yesterday was a struggle and I didn't expect to play so well.
"Today was a little better in terms of how I felt, and perhaps being unwell helped calm me down and lowered my expectations. It was great to be out there with Lucas as he was playing well and we have played a lot of golf together over the years, so I think we helped each other along.
"Winning this year on the Challenge Tour has taught me a lot about my game. The more you can do that and put yourself under pressure then the better player you will become. Hopefully that helps into this weekend but this is the first time I have been this high at a European Tour event."
Overnight leader Nicolas Colsaerts could only add a 70 to his opening 63 to lie two shots off the pace alongside Spain's Pedro Oriol, France's Romain Wattel and Paraguay's Fabrizio Zanotti.
Two-time major winner Martin Kaymer is part of a five-strong group another stroke back on 10 under, the former world No 1 firing five birdies and an eagle in his 66.
"I didn't play as good as yesterday to be honest," Kaymer said. "I didn't hit as many fairways as yesterday and therefore I feel like I didn't have as many chances as well but I shot a better score. It was a strange one.
"I felt a little bit tired, I didn't sleep very well last night, therefore (it is) even better if you make a few birdies at the beginning of the round to get the round going."
Playing partner Bernd Wiesberger is also 10 under after a 68, with England's Danny Willett and Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez on nine under.
