Chris Wood shot a second round 65 to move into a three-shot lead at the halfway stage of the Iberdrola Open in Mallorca.
Clarke shoots level par 70 to stay in the hunt
Chris Wood shot a second round 65 to move into a three-shot lead at the halfway stage of the Iberdrola Open in Mallorca.
The 23-year-old from Bristol is still looking for his first European Tour title despite a number of near misses - notably a play-off defeat to Louis Oosthuizen at this year's Africa Open.
But six birdies on Friday saw him move closer to ending his drought, as he went clear of a chasing pack led by fellow Englishman Matthew Nixon and Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke, who both shot level par 70.
Wood had six birdies in his first 14 holes and was on course to lead by four until a bogey at the par-four 16th.
Clarke recovered well after a double bogey at the third and a further dropped shot at the ninth saw him go out in 38, three over par. But for European Tour rookie Nixon there was frustration with a double at the 18th.
The 21-year-old, who was the only amateur to secure a card at last year's Qualifying School Final Stage, had six birdies but mixed in two bogeys and, most harmfully, two doubles at the par-four third and par-three 18th.
The Manchester golfer was not focusing on the disappointment at the last, as he turned his attention to the weekend.
Great chance
"I think I'll be more dwelling on the fact that I am playing well and have a great chance over the weekend having missed the last two cuts," he told www.europeantour.com.
"I just have to go out there and give it 100% and see what happens. There are scores to be made out there but if you hit a couple of loose ones then you can make a big number so hopefully I can keep it going and keep the mistakes off the card.
"There is work to do over the weekend and some great players in the field so I will keep my head down and see what it brings over the next couple of days."
Nixon's best finish to date is 11th at the Open de Andalucia in March.
One shot behind Nixon on four under are another Englishman, David Lynn, and France's Thomas Levet.
A further stroke back are Ireland's Simon Thornton, Scotland's Paul Lawrie and England's Danny Willett.
Overnight leader Gregory Bourdy- who shot a course-record seven-under-par 63 on Thursday - slipped back dramatically as he undid all his good work with a 77 to finish the day tied for 21st place on level par.
