Scotland's Ewen Ferguson has remained the man to catch in the World Invitational, despite treading water on day two in County Antrim.
Ferguson carded a course-record 61 on Thursday at Galgorm Castle, one of two courses used for the event which sees men's and women's tournaments taking place simultaneously.
But the 26-year-old could only add a second round of 70 at Massereene Golf Club on Friday to remain nine under par, a shot ahead of Spain's Borja Virto.
Italy's Felipo Celli, who won the silver medal as leading amateur in the 150th Open at St Andrews last month, was a stroke further back on seven under, alongside Sweden's Felix Palson.
"I'm still playing nicely but had a few more bad breaks today and missed a couple of the putts that I've kind of been making yesterday to keep my round going," Ferguson said.
"(They were) good putts, but just kind of lipping out and yesterday they were kind of lipping in. You walk onto the next tee when they lip in, you feel amazing. When you walk on the next tee and they lip out you feel a bit flatter."
Jake McLeod and Zach Murray were the best placed Australians at even-par with Dimitrios Papadatos a shot further behind.
Australian Associated Press
