Matt Fitzpatrick reflected with satisfaction on a second-round 64 which gave him the edge in the FedEx Open de France in Paris.
The Englishman established a one-shot lead over Denmark's Jeff Winther, who also fired 64 in the second round.
An eagle at the 14th at Le Golf National was Friday’s highlight for Fitzpatrick, who finished the day on 13 under par for the tournament and still bogey-free.
The 32-year-old told the DP World Tour afterwards: "I played really solid again, felt comfortable with my game.
"The last few holes were a bit of a grind. But I’m happy to be in.
"I’ve been doing a little bit more work on the driver. So [I] went back to the old set-up with my driver I started the year with and took a few issues in the middle of the year that were sort of off-putting a little bit."
First-round leader and defending champion Michael Kim is a shot behind Winther on 11 under par after a 68 on Friday.
Sam Bairstow, who opened with a 65, saw his challenge dented by a 71 which leaves him seven shots off the pace.
Fellow Englishmen Tommy Fleetwood and Joe Dean and Scotland’s Scott Jamieson are alongside Bairstow on six under.
