Golf European Tour Qualifying School: David Higgins leads the Irish challenge at the Five Lakes course in England following yesterday's second round of the first stage of the European Tour Qualifying School.

Higgins shot a four-under-par 68 for a halfway total of 138, two shots behind joint leaders Johan Kok of the US and Sigurpall Sveinsson of Iceland.

Kok posted a six-under 66 for 137 to share top spot with Sveinsson, who added a 67 to his opening 70.

Northern Ireland's Chris Devlin, who was top Irishman after the first round, is one shot behind Higgins following his second-round 70.

Ciaran McGonigle and Richie Coughlan are on 146 after respective rounds of 75 and 71.

Australian Jason King shaved 11 shots off his first-round 75 with a best-of-the-day 64 as he moved into a share of fourth place on 139.

At Carden Park, a seven-under round of 65 from former Walker Cup player Michael Hoey left him four shots off England's Mark Smith, who leads on 136. The 13th was a lucky hole for Smith, who chalked up the first of a hat-trick of birdies on his way to a 67.

Irish amateur Noel Fox was also in fine form, shooting a 67 for 141.

Raymond Byrnes is a shot further back following a 72, while Colm Moriarty's 71 gave him a halfway total of 144.

The outlook is not so good for the Irish at Chart Hills, where Eamonn Brady is nine shots behind leader Wayne Ormsby from Australia.

Brady's 70 leaves him on a one-under-par total of 143, while Ormsby's second successive 67 leaves him 10 under.

Gavin McNeill went around in 72 and lies a shot behind Brady on 144.

At Golf de Moliets in France, four players share pole position at the halfway stage. Belgian Jack Boeckx, French duo Bruno Lecuona and Julien Quesne and former Italian amateur champion Stefano Reale all finished the day on five-under totals of 139 to lead by one.

Ireland's David Carroll had a disappointing 82 to leave him on 156.

At the Golf Und Land Club in Cologne, Germany, Sweden's Magnus Carlsson leads the way after a 70 for a six-under 138.