Bradley Dredge hit five birdies in the front nine and finished with a five-under-par 66 on Friday as he surged to a three-shot lead amid windy conditions at the Made In Denmark tournament.
The Welshman, runner-up in 2014, bogeyed the 13th before finishing the second round with a birdie and four pars.
That left Dredge at 13 under, three clear of Sweden's Joakim Lagergren, who shot a 70 as the wind picked up at Himmerland Golf and Spa Resort.
South Africa's Richard Sterne (67) and Ryder Cup hopeful Thomas Pieters (71) are tied for third at nine-under.
Tom Lewis, who along with Lagergren and Pieters equaled the course record with a 62 in the first round, needed 10 more shots Friday to finish with a 72.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
Shane Lowry, another potential Ryder wild card, improved on a first-round 75 by 10 shots. His round of 65 included seven birdies and one bogey. The Irishman is now 2 under.
Made in Denmark is the last tournament before Darren Clarke will make his three captain's picks for the European team.
Denmark's Soeren Kjeldsen eagled No.6 and is among five players at 7 under.
