Overnight leader Padraig Harrington kept his two-stroke advantage in the Algarve Portuguese Open with a two-under-par 70 at a windy Quinta do Lago today.
Harrington revelled in the conditions to set the early second round lead of 10-under-par 134, with Britain's Alastair Forsyth and David Gilford also making light of the breezy morning.
Forsyth spoiled his morning's work with a closing bogey but the Scot drew to a share of second place with a 68, while Gilford carded 70, both for an eight-under total of 136.
Harrington decided to use his old seven-degree lofted driver in preference to a more lofted type he used in the first round and the 29-year-old Irishman was glad he had it in the bag.
"It was good for keeping the ball under the wind," he said. "You can't dictate what the weather is going to be like but you can help yourself with the conditions.
"I was brought up playing my golf in the wind and it's probably one of the strong points of my game."
While Harrington flourished, playing-partner Colin Montgomerie found little solace with an even-par 72. Montgomerie's one-over-par total of 145 has left him in 97th place and in danger of missing the cut.
Reuters