Leading duo resume battle

Swede Fredrik Jacobson and England’s Greg Owen had the chance to take advantage of perfect early conditions when they resumed the Algarve Portuguese Open in first and second place respectively today.

Jacobson, who broke the Vale do Lobo course record by two with his opening eight under par 64, set off again with two pars.

Owen, the Mansfield 31-year-old chasing his first European tour win after 19 top-10 finishes, remained two behind after four holes.

The gap became one after he pitched to four feet on the 323-yard 10th, but at the 234-yard next – one of Europe’s most spectacular holes set right on the cliff edge – his superb-looking tee shot ran just through the back and he took three more to return to six under.

That kept Owen three clear of the chasing group – Welshman Bradley Dredge, winner in Madeira on his last start four weeks ago, Spaniard Carlos Rodiles and Londoner Brian Davis, who also birdied the 10th.