Gavin Green’s 65 enabled the Malaysian to join overnight leader Jordan Smith of England, who scored 67 in the second round, on top of the leaderboard at 13 under par after the second round of the $2 million Portugal Masters at Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course, Vilamoura.
Smith followed up his first round 62 with six birdie and two-bogey 67 to be on the top of the pile alongside Green.
The 28 year-old Malaysian, who lies in 76th in the DP World Tour Rankings, is still seeking his first win on the DP World Tour, having won the Asian Tour Order of Merit in 2017.
Solitary bogey
His six under par 65 consisted of seven birdies, and a solitary bogey on hole nine, having started on hole one.
This is the season-ending tournament that either creates good news or bad news for those trying to retain their cards and playing privileges for the 2023 DP World Tour.
Those in and around the cut-off mark of 117 to retain their cards and have made the cut, include Aaron Cockerill, representing The Els Club, Dubai (Canada, 112nd) at nine under, Espen Kofstad (115th) six under, Jazz Janewattanond (Thailand, 116th) on the mark at four under, Darius van Driel (Netherlands, 118th) 11 under, Renato Paratore (Italy, 122nd) eight under and Alfredo Garcia-Heredia (Spain, 123rd) seven under.
Missing the cut
Those to miss the cut and are looking from the outside include: Sebastian Garcia Rodriguez (Spain, 117th) two under, Ricardo Gouveia (Port, 120th) two under and Francesco Laporta (Italy, 121st) one over.
The third round takes place on Saturday with the cut falling on four under par with 72 players on the mark, with a few players still on the golf course.
Leading scores (Par 71)
G. Green (Mas) 64. 65. 129.
J. Smith (Eng) 62. 67. 129.
T. Pulkkanen (Fin) 66. 64. 130.
B. Hebert (Fr) 66. 64. 130.
