Ignacio Garrido produced an inspired round of 63 to open up a four-shot lead at the halfway point of the Spanish Open in Seville.
Spaniard shoots stunning 63 to take charge of Open de Espana
Ignacio Garrido produced an inspired round of 63 to open up a four-shot lead at the halfway point of the Spanish Open in Seville.
The former Ryder Cup player carded nine birdies during a flawless second round at the Real Club de Golf de Sevilla to move to 15-under, four clear of overnight leader Martin Erlandsson.
The Swede had broken the course record on Thursday with his opening 65, but had to concede that record and the lead to Garrido as the Spaniard simply took the Jose Maria Olazabal-designed lay-out to pieces.
Erlandsson did enjoy another productive day himself as he carded a 68 to finish at 11-under, but had to play second fiddle to the charging Spaniard who had missed six of his previous seven cuts prior to the tournament.
Behind Erlandsson a group of four gathered on eight-under, comprising Englishman David Lynn, Spaniard Carlos Rodiles, Peter Fowler of Australia and Paraguay's Marco Ruiz.
A further six men stand on six-under, including English duo Mark Foster and Anthony Wall and Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez, but it was his compatriot Garrido who stole the show.
Fast start
Starting at the tenth, Garrido signalled his intentions with birdies at ten, 12, 13 and 14 to climb to 10-under and added another at 16 to hit the turn some way clear of the field.
He maintained his momentum on the front nine by picking up further shots at two and three and underlined his majestic form with an incredible second from the fairway rough at the par-four sixth which pitched on the front of green and rolled to within three feet for his eighth birdie of the day.
Fittingly he capped his sensational display - which he went on to describe as probably the best of his career - with a final birdie on the par-five ninth and was understandably elated as he spoke about it afterwards.
"Probably the best I've ever played - this is a dream," he said.
"I think for any player the most important tournament after the majors is your own national championship. I thought I could not play any better than yesterday, but obviously I could.
"We play a very tough sport. It can go fantastic and next day you don't know what you are doing, but despite my recent results I knew the game was there."
Clarke improves
Winner in China last week, Darren Clarke posted an encouraging second round of 69 to move to three-under and ensure he would be staying for the weekend.
Colin Montgomerie also survived the cut, but appeared a hugely frustrated figure after two bogeys in his final four holes dropped him back to one-under.
John Daly was not so fortunate despite three birdies and an eagle during the final eight holes of his second round, the American missing the cut after finishing at one-over.
Defending champion Charl Schwartzel was another to fall by the wayside despite a 70 which lifted him to level-par overall.
