Intro:

England's David Horsey took a two-shot lead over Thomas Pieters of Belgium at the halfway stage of the European Tour's Russian Open in Moscow on Friday (25th July).

Script:

Bright sunshine greeted the players for the second round of the Russian Open on Friday.

Sweden's Johan Carlsson was in danger of missing the cut following his first round 74.

However, he made sure of taking part in the weekend. Carlsson closed with a 69 for a two-round total of 143, 10 shots off the lead.

Scotland's Peter Whiteford lay one shot behind overnight leader David Horsey coming in to round two, but a poor opening nine holes saw him slip back.

He carded a one-under-par round of 71 and stands at seven-under for the tournament.

Belgium's Thomas Pieters went out in 33 with four birdies and added three more on the way home - he might have got to within a shot of the lead but for a dropped shot at the last.

Pieters stands at nine-under-par after two rounds, following a four-under-par 68.

Horsey opened with a 65 on Thursday and didn't drop a shot - it didn't go quite as well on Friday, but he still returned a 68 to get to 11-under overall.

Horsey, looking to claim his third European Tour title remains the man to catch