Nilsson claims St Omer lead

Sweden’s Christian Nilsson carded three birdies in his first six holes to overtake compatriot Fredrik Andersson Hed in the second round of the Saint-Omer Open in northern France.

The 30-year-old – runner-up last year – began the day three under, two behind Andersson Hed, but a run of three successive birdies from the fourth lifted him to the top of the leaderboard.

By that time Andersson Hed, also an afternoon starter, had fallen into a tie for third after dropping shots at the second and third in the £514,000 (€607,000) dual-ranking European and Challenge Tour event.

Surrey’s James Morrison, starting on the back nine, had briefly held a share of the lead with Nilsson after a birdie at the 531-yard 14th had moved him up to five under through eight holes.

Iceland’s Birgir Hafthorsson produced the best round of the morning starters, a three-under 68, but that only lifted him to two over.

England’s Peter Baker carded a 69 after recovering from two bogeys in his first nine holes, having started at the 10th.

The 41-year-old had four birdies in his last seven holes to move him to level par.