Story highlights
Simon Khan takes one-shot lead at the halfway stage of the Portugal Masters
English golfer fires six-under-par 66 at the European Tour event in Vilamoura
He is seeking victory to boost his hopes of a place in the Race To Dubai finale
First-round leader James Kingston tied for second with Rhys Davies and Felipe Aguilar
English golfer Simon Khan is determined to enjoy his time at the top after claiming the halfway lead at the European Tour’s Portugal Masters on Friday.
The 39-year-old followed up his opening 65 with a six-under-par 66 to move one shot clear in Vilamoura.
First-round leader James Kingston was tied for second after a 68 left him level with Welshman Rhys Davies (67) and Chile’s Felipe Aguilar – who carded a second successive 66 to be on 12 under.
Khan, ranked 219th in the world and 113th in the Race To Dubai standings, is seeking his second European Tour title – and his first since winning the prestigious BMW PGA Championship in May last year in a playoff.
“It’s been a great two days. It’s not been a brilliant year overall, but I always feel good coming around this course and enjoy playing in Portugal,” he said.
“I can’t remember the last time I was leading. But I enjoy being up there. You have to embrace the pressure, and if you want to be on the fringes on this tour, then go and do something else.
“It’s only the shadow of your ambitions, the pressure, and you have just got to enjoy that and take it into yourself and go and do it.”
With 60 players to line up at the lucrative Dubai season finale in December, Davies (51st), Aguilar (61st) and Kingston (67th) can almost certainly book places by claiming the $580,000 first prize on Sunday.
“I’m in good position,” Aguilar said after carding eight birdies and two bogeys. “This is where you want to be. I like to hunt from behind, especially on the weekend.
“I have nothing to lose – I think I’m playing well this year. I have my card and I want to get into The Race to Dubai.”
