Robert-Jan Derksen of The Netherlands and France's Jean-Francois Lucquin will share the lead going into the third round of the Mallorca Classic at Pula Golf Club.
Derksen, a two-time winner on The European Tour, and Lucquin both shot five under par 65s for nine under par totals of 131. The pair lead by three shots from Denmark’s Mads Vibe-Hastrup, a recent first-time winner in Madrid, and Ireland’s Peter Lawrie.
Pre-tournament favourite Sergio Garcia, first, second and second in his three appearances in the event, was one of 54 players who had to return and complete his second round on Saturday morning and made a positive move, carding a 67 for a five under par total of 135 and a share of fifth place with Thongchai Jaidee, Sam Little, who is battling to keep his card for the 2008 season, and Niclas Fasth, who still harbours hope of winning the 2007 European Tour Order of Merit.
Derksen has missed just three cuts in 27 events this season but would swap such consistency for a return to the winning form which brought him victories in the Dubai Desert Classic in 2003 and Madeira Island Open in 2005.
"If the Tour gave out awards for consistency it would be great but unfortunately it doesn't work like that," said Derksen, who was second in the Russian Open in August, six shots behind winner Per-Ulrik Johansson. "I've been very consistent all season and to top it off with a win would be great."
Lawrie is still searching for the elusive first victory on The European Tour International Schedule and has his sights on a high finish to qualify for next week's season-ending Volvo Masters at Valderrama.
The Dubliner, like Derken aged 33, returned to action recently after four weeks off around the birth of his second daughter Amelia, and admitted: "It certainly hampers your golf in some ways but it's very rewarding and we are both delighted.
"I played lovely last week and that's why I'm here really. I promised my wife Philippa I wouldn't be away for too many weeks in a row but there's a chance to qualify for Valderrama so here I am."
Little is fighting tooth and nail to keep his card for 2008.Three weeks ago he was outside the top 170 on The European Tour Order of Merit with only three events left to climb into the 118 and avoid an immediate return to the Qualifying School.
However Little had a big finish - joint seventh in the Open de Madrid Valle Romano - to qualify for the following week's Portugal Masters and, after finishing 34th there, now finds himself in a share of fifth place in the Mallorca Classic.
He needs to still be inside the top ten when the tournament finishes on Sunday evening to secure his card, and at least has a fighting chance after rounds of 66 and 69 gave him a five under par halfway total of 135.
"I'm looking at eighth or ninth place to be absolutely certain but I'll just try and win it and if I finish second then I'll take it," said Little, who kept his card by just £418 in 2005 but lost it last season and had to win it back at the Qualifying School.
