Swede Alexander Noren out in front on home soil

Swede Alexander Noren produced the joint-best round of the Nordea Masters so far to take the outright lead at Bro Hof Slott Golf Club in Stockholm.

The 29-year-old, born in the Swedish capital, began the day in a share of first place with the amateur Robert Karlsson and South African Jaco van Zyl. But, while his fellow co-leaders could not improve on their opening five-under-par 67s, Noren exceeded his with a blemish-free round of 66.

That put him 11 under and his main challenger three shots back was India's Shiv Kapur who, starting on the back nine, carded eight birdies and two bogeys, to match Noren's earlier 66. American Bubba Watson's previous experience of a European Tour event in France nearly a month ago ended with the big-hitting left-hander missing the cut and offending the locals with his derogatory references to Paris' iconic landmarks.

Stockholm appears to suit him better as, after an opening 71, he transformed his second round with an eagle, six birdies and three bogeys to sign for a 67 which lifted him to six under overall.

Watson's fellow American Dustin Johnson, second at the Open last Sunday and the highest-ranked player in the field, ensured he made the cut with a round of 71 which put him one under.