Brazil's Adilson Da Silva fired a six-under-66 to take the halfway lead at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters in Taipei on Friday.
Da Silva capped a flawless front nine with three birdies and one eagle to turn in 31 but dropped a shot on the 13th hole. He recovered by adding two more birdies for a two-day total of three-under-par 141 at the Taiwan Golf and Country Club's Tamsui course.
"I felt very comfortable today. My putting was so good . The wind is getting in and out on the course and it's hard to gauge the direction sometimes. I was really staying positive on the front nine and it got my game going," said Da Silva, a multiple winner in South Africa vying for a first Asian Tour victory.
England's Steve Lewton, who carded a 72, stayed one shot back with a two-day total of 142 to remain in second place while Asian Tour rookie Paul Peterson of the United States moved to third following a 71.
Overnight leader Lionel Weber of France however stumbled with an 80 to slide down to 40th place and merely made the halfway cut.
Defending champion Scott Hend of Australia struggled for the second day and failed to make it into the weekend rounds after posting an 80.
Leading scores after round two (par 72):
141 Adilson Da Silva (BRA) 75-66
142 Steve Lewton (ENG) 70-72
143 Paul Peterson (USA) 72-71
144 Antonio Lascuna (PHI) 75-69, Marcus Both (AUS) 71-73, Andrew Dodt (AUS) 74-70, Cameron Smith (AUS) 72-72, Unho Park (AUS) 72-72, Prom Meesawat (THA) 71-73, Namchok Tantipokhakul (THA) 71-73
Source: AFP
