Matthew Baldwin consolidated his strong start with a brilliant 66 to sit two shots clear after day two of the BMW PGA Championship.

The Englishman was one of two players – the other was Frenchman Jeong weon Ko – to keep a clean card during Thursday’s opening round of 65 at the third Rolex Series tournament of the year, and he continued his fine form on Friday.

The 38-year-old rolled in six birdies and just one bogey – his only dropped shot of the tournament so far – through 16 holes before the threat of lightning suspended play after he had teed off at the penultimate hole.

But not even a delay of an hour and 17 minutes could distract as he immediately added another gain at the 17th to set the clubhouse target of 13 under, which equalled the tournament record set by Paul McGinley in 2008.

“Incredibly pleased. Incredibly proud of how I’ve played so far. There’s a long way to go. Keep doing the same things, should be a good week,” said Baldwin.

Niklas Nørgaard, who won his maiden DP World Tour title at the Betfred British Masters hosted by Sir Nick Faldo earlier this month, carded an eagle, four birdies and a bogey to reach 11 under. Frenchman Antoine Rozner birdied six of the last seven holes, including five in a row to finish his round, to catapult himself into third at ten under following his 65.

Four-time Major Champion Rory McIlroy is one shot back at nine under par alongside fellow past champion Matteo Manassero, while 2021 Champion Billy Horschel was in at eight under.

Canada’s Aaron Cockerill, Scot Robert MacIntyre, Germany’s Yannik Paul and English trio Tommy Fleetwood, Harry Hall and Oliver Wilson remain in contention at seven under.

Due to the weather delay, 15 players will finish their second rounds on Saturday morning from 07:10 local time. Due to the inclement weather forecast, round three will be a two-tee start from holes one and nine and will not start before 09.00.

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