Benjamin Follett-Smith and Maxence Giboudot share a one-stroke lead at the halfway stage of the D+D Real Czech Challenge at Royal Beroun Golf Club.
Follett-Smith and Giboudot impressed for the second successive day to reach 15 under par for the week, one clear of Haraldur Magnus from Iceland and Finn Oliver Lindell.
Zimbabwean Follett-Smith was one of the early starters on day two and posted a bogey-free eight-under-par round of 62 to climb into the lead.
The 30-year-old is yet to card a bogey this week and thinks consistency has been key to his success so far, as he looks to move inside the top 72 in the Road to Mallorca Rankings and guarantee his place in the Hainan Open next week.
“I’ve kept it in play, I’ve been driving it nicely, my iron play can be a bit better but my wedges and putting have been going well,” he said. “It’s been consistent golf with both days bogey-free.
“Being in this position is always nice. Getting a chance and being in contention is what we practice and play for every week.
“It’s just important to play the week as it is and not really think about anything else like China next week. Hopefully I can keep the same mindset over the next two days.”
Frenchman Giboudot recorded six birdies, an eagle and a solitary bogey to sign for a seven under par 63 on day two to join Follett-Smith at the top.
The 20-year-old has played the closing six holes in a collective 12 under par through two days and is excited to be in contention with 36 holes to play.
“I was on fire on the back nine and I really like this part of the course,” he said. “I feel like every putt I hit on that part of the course, it’s going to go in.
“It’s nice to have confidence on that part of the course and hopefully it can stay the same over the last two days.
“It’s going to be my first time being in the last group on the Challenge Tour so I’m going to try to enjoy every moment and see what happens.”
Welshman Oliver Farr’s eight under par round of 62 saw him move into fifth on 13 under par, with Englishman Sam Hutsby and Dane Jonathan Goth-Rasmussen one shot further back in sixth.
The third round of the D+D Real Czech Challenge gets underway at 8:15 am local time, with Follett-Smith and Giboudot teeing off alongside Magnus at 10:20 am.
