• Castello Masters, Round Two

Garcia imperious as Lewis is forced to withdraw

Alex Noren held the clubhouse lead until Sergio Garcia © Getty Images

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Leaderboard

Sergio Garcia stormed to the top of the leaderboard at the Castello Masters on Friday, as Englishman Tom Lewis was forced to withdraw due to illness.

Garcia, the host in Valencia this week, is looking for his first victory in almost three years as he continues his bid to return to his former standing in the game. And he looks to be on course at the halfway stage at Club de Campo del Mediterraneo - where he also won in 2008 - after firing a second round 63 to put him 12-under for the tournament and two clear of his nearest challenger, Alex Noren.

Garcia had seven birdies, an eagle and just a solitary bogey during his round to underline how comfortable he is on the Spanish coast - ensuring he is the man to beat over the final 36 holes.

Meanwhile Lewis, who claimed his maiden victory on the European Tour at the Portugal Masters last week, complained that he was suffering with a debilitating virus following his opening round of 71 on Thursday and was forced to withdraw after he felt no better ahead of round two.

The 20-year-old would have done well to keep pace with Garcia and Noren, however, as they both blitzed the course in Castellon to record brilliant rounds of 63. Noren - who has already won twice in 2011, at the Wales Open and Nordea Masters - made eight unanswered birdies during his round, crediting a new-found control over his ball flight for the flawless display.

"It didn't feel that good on the range, but I found my swing early on," Noren said. "I kept fading it all day and holed a lot of putts. I played probably the best I've ever played on the front nine - I had a lot of chances."

Ross McGowan and Gary Orr sit eight-under having finished their rounds in the morning, with overnight leader McGowan carding an unspectacular round of 70 as he continues his bid to climb into the all-important top 125 on the money list.

Richie Ramsay and Thongchai Jaidee are among a group of players at six-under, while Matteo Manassero - the defending champion, playing alongside Garcia - moved to five-under thanks to a solid round of 68, although he will nevertheless have to go low over the weekend if he is to win.

The news was not good for everyone, however. European Ryder Cup captain Jose Maria Olazabal is set to miss the cut after slipping to four-over for the tournament, along with the likes of Colin Montgomerie, Pablo Larrazabal, David Howell and Oliver Fisher.

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