(MENAFN- Khaleej Times)

England's Chris Wood extended his lead at the 54-hole $100,000 Rolear Algarve Classic with a second consecutive bogey-free round, carding a four-under-par 68 at Amendoeira Golf Resort's O'Connor Course. The three-time DP World Tour winner now sits at 11 under par, holding a slender one-shot advantage heading into the final round of the MENA Golf Tour event in Portugal.

Wood's flawless 36-hole display included birdies on the second, ninth, 11th, and 16th, leaving his scorecard unblemished – a remarkable feat that puts him in pole position to claim his first MENA Golf Tour title.

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“I didn't drop a shot all day. It was a bit harder today, though,” said Wood.“I said to Lloydy (my caddie) on the third green, I wasn't quite as sharp as I felt yesterday mentally. That's the good thing about having him here – it's easy to share those thoughts. Then you can talk about it and come up with a solution. So, we did a good job managing that today and really nice to go another round bogey-free.”

Wood's caddie, fellow Bristolian Chris Lloyd, had a promising playing career curtailed by injury. Now supporting Wood, their partnership draws on years of familiarity and trust.

“I've known Lloydy a long time. He's been a really solid player himself, didn't quite work out for him with an injury, but he's a huge asset,” Wood explained.“It's great to have someone as encouraging as him, but also someone you can call a friend as well. The way Lloydy can say things is very commanding, like he's got your back. It's a mental reminder.”

Wood acknowledged tougher conditions on Wednesday, particularly late in his round.“Playing 16 and 17 today was challenging, playing straight into the sun. I had a 20-yard pitch on 16 with the ball sat down in the fairway, it was a bit of a smelly one, so it's tricky but it's tricky for everyone. That's where you've got to back yourself and let go.”

Scotland's Aidan O'Hagan sits one shot back at 10 under-par after posting a three-under 69, featuring four birdies on the second, 12th, 16th, and 17th, with his only blemish coming at the par-5 fifth.

“I think that's when I play my best golf – when I'm relaxed and just free to kind of hit the shots that I see. When I get too tense or anything like that, it's where I start to struggle,” said the 21-year-old.

A victory on Thursday would have big implications for O'Hagan's winter schedule.“It would be big to win here. It would guarantee going to Egypt and continuing to play golf for the winter, which is the main goal of coming out here. To get a win on a tour like this and the revamped system of it all would be an awesome start to that.”

Ireland's Max Kennedy remains in contention in third at eight under-par following a three-under 69. The Irishman has impressed with consistency, making just one bogey across 36 holes – a three-putt on the 18th in round one.

“It's great – any competition is great. There's a pretty strong field here this week in terms of the players, ex-DP World Tour players. So, competing against them, you can't beat that. The more you do that, the more you get used to that environment, the better you're going to be, and the MENA Golf Tour provides that,” Kennedy said.

First-round co-leader Aron Zemmer signed an even-par 72 to slip into a share of fourth with Portugal's Pedro Lencart at seven under. Scotland's Sebastian Sandin posted a five-under 67 to move into a share of sixth at six under, alongside Portugal's Vasco Alves, who carded the round of the day with a bogey-free seven-under 65.

The UAE's Ahmad Skaik carded a second consecutive 74 to make the cut in just his second professional event, continuing his transition from a decorated amateur career.

“I'm just staying in the present and keeping fighting,” said Skaik.“My body hasn't been feeling well. I didn't do a lot of prep coming into this week. So just stayed patient, didn't give up, tried my best out there.”

With Wood holding a one-shot lead and ten players within five shots of the top, Thursday's final round promises a thrilling conclusion. The winner will take home $18,000 from the $100,000 prize fund along with valuable Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points.

Round Two Leading Scores (Par 72):

C. Wood (Eng) 65, 68 – 133

A. O'Hagan (Scot) 65, 69 – 134

M. Kennedy (Ire) 67, 69 – 136

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