Lee takes share of the lead at halfway mark at St Omer

Lee made a storming start to his round yesterday as consecutive birdies on the third, fourth and fifth got him to five under overall, but he was to end the day on that mark after tempering the three further shots he picked up with three bogeys.

That left him tied at the top of the leaderboard with Italy's Andrea Perrino, whose round proved to be a more consistent affair as he carded three birdies and just the one bogey.

Overnight leader George Coetzee slipped back to third place. The South African was one under on the day through 13 holes but a double-bogey seven at the 14th cost him the lead.

Italy's Federico Colombo carded the best round of the day as his four-under 67 moved him into contention.

Colombo, who was one over yesterday, posted five birdies and just one dropped shot and said: "I played a good game without doing anything special. I just kept the ball in play and made a few good putts.

"There was less wind today but it was raining, so the conditions are still tough. And on this course you just need to keep the ball in play.

"Yesterday, for the first four or five holes, my swing did not feel so good so I was trying to sort that out today.

"It is difficult on the driving range here because it is downhill and with crosswinds.

"I've been playing pretty well in the last few tournaments, but I'm just taking it shot by shot and trying not to look at the leaderboard."

England's Benn Barham was part of a four-way tie for fifth with compatriots Steven Tiley and Lee Slattery a shot further back at one under.

Scotland's Alastair Forsyth and Wales' Stuart Manley were level par.