ST. ANDREWS, Scotland (AP) — Andrea Pavan shot 9-under 63 at Kingsbarns to share the lead with Lucas Bjerregaard after two rounds of the Dunhill Links Championship on Friday.
Two-time defending champion Tyrrell Hatton was among those a stroke back after taming Carnoustie in the multi-course event.
Pavan rolled in a four-foot putt at his last hole for a ninth birdie of the day and the joint-low round of the week in Scotland.
Like Pavan, Bjerregaard didn't drop a shot in his 65 on the same course, maintaining the Dane's strong form after four straight top-20 finishes on the European Tour. They were on 9-under overall.
Hatton backed up a first-round 70 at Kingsbarns with a 6-under 66 at Carnoustie, which is regarded as the toughest of the three courses that stage the tournament.
Eight of Hatton's last 10 rounds at the Dunhill Links have been in the 60s.
Hatton was joined in a tie for third place on 8 under with first-round co-leader Marcus Fraser (68 at St. Andrews) and Matthias Schwab (67 at St. Andrews).
In benign conditions after the fierce winds from Thursday dropped, Mikko Ilonen and Darren Fichardt tied Pavan for the low round of the day with 9-under 63s at St. Andrews.
Tommy Fleetwood, who was part of Europe's Ryder Cup-winning team in France last week, shot 67 at Carnoustie and was in a tie for eighth place on 6 under overall, three strokes off the lead.
All 168 players in the field will play a round on each course, before the final round takes place at St. Andrews on Sunday.
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