French rookie Michael Lorenzo-Vera shot a second round of 69 to secure a one-stroke lead at the halfway stage of the China Open.
Lorenzo-Vera claims slender halfway lead after 69 on Friday
French rookie Michael Lorenzo-Vera continues to set the pace at Volvo China Open with a second round of 69 securing him a one-stroke lead at the halfway stage.
Having posted a 67 on Thursday, the 23-year-old now stands at -8, just ahead of Englishman Richard Finch and Ireland's Damien McGrane.
Lorenzo-Vera's lead could have been more substantial as he made a total of seven birdies at the Beijing CBD International Golf Club, but he also mixed in a double-bogey and two bogeys including one at the ninth - his last hole.
However, the winner of last year's Challenge Tour insisted he was delighted with his efforts having suffered from some overnight nerves.
"I am super happy," he said. "It was difficult to get some sleep last night as I was thinking too much about what could happen and I am happy to play well today."
One of the early starters, Finch posted the clubhouse target on -7 after a 69 of his own that featured five birdies ( at five, six, seven, ten and 13) and two bogeys.
McGrane was another to return a 69 as he goes in pursuit of a first European Tour triumph.
The 37-year-old did not drop a shot during his round as he made no fewer than 16 pars as well as a birdie at ten and an eagle at 13 when he chipped in from off the green.
Round of the day came from England's Oliver Wilson who fired a superb 66 to climb from joint-28th into fourth place on his own at -6.
Two birdies helped Wilson to the turn in 33 shots, another followed at ten before he bogeyed 14. However, he responded in fine style with birdies at the final four holes to rocket himself up the leaderboard and into contention.
"To birdie the last four holes around here, I will take that for the weekend," he said afterwards.
"After hole 14 I was looking forward to coming in without any disasters on my card but it turned into a great round."
Defending champion Markus Brier is one of four men four shots behind the leader on -4, the others being Englishmen Simon Griffiths and Zane Scotland and American Jason Knutzon.
Meanwhile, David Howell's hopes of improving on his second place at the Portuguese Open two weeks ago look unlikely after he carded a 73 to lie at +1.
