Ilonen sets pace in Portugal

Finland’s Mikko Ilonen claimed the clubhouse lead at the Portugal Masters today after a second-round 68.

Ilonen, 30, fired a 65 yesterday to lie a shot off the pace and built on that today with a bogey-free round which contained four birdies after the turn to move to 11 under par.

Two of the overnight leaders, Robert Karlsson and Maarten Lafeber, also started strongly today with both men picking up early birdies to move to 10 under.

The third man to shoot a 64 yesterday, Johan Edfors, is level for his second round through four holes and eight under overall, drifting back into the pack.

Ryder Cup hero Francesco Molinari made the big move of the day, shooting a wonderful 62 to climb to within three shots of the lead.

The Italian shot five birdies on the way out and another five coming back to improve on his two-over 74 yesterday.

Richard Finch was another to impress on day two, his seven-under 65 moving him up to fourth.