• Scandinavian Masters

Pepperell in three-way share of Malmo lead

Eddie Pepperell followed his opening-round 66 with a 72 © Getty Images

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England's Eddie Pepperell held onto his share of the Scandinavian Masters lead on Friday with Frenchman Victor Dubuisson and Spain's Alvaro Quiros joining him at the top.

All three are six under after two rounds on the PGA Sweden National's Lakes Course.

Overnight joint-leader Pepperell, who has secured top-25 finishes on his last two starts, followed up his opening day 66 with an even par 72 including three birdies, a bogey at the 15th and double bogey at the fourth.

"I did pretty well today," Pepperell told europeantour.com. "Hanging in there was what it was all about today. I shot level par which I think is pretty good today; it was so windy out there.

"No hole was easy, it seemed, so I'm very pleased to be in a share of the lead still heading into the weekend.

"The course showed its teeth today. It becomes fun when it is this tough as everyone else is finding it hard.

"It's about hanging in there and not letting it get to you. I enjoy that type of golf. I've grown up playing amateur stuff in England on links in these sort of conditions, so I enjoy it.

"This is like an Open Championship out there. The sun is burning the course out and it's windy, so it is tough."

Even though Quiros shot a five-under 67 with two eagles, he was still disappointed with his putting.

"I've been hitting the ball very well from tee to green, but even with the scores I've had I have not putted great," Quiros said.

Henrik Stenson birdied the last hole to move within a shot of the leaders. Fellow Swede and Masters runner-up Jonas Blixt missed the cut after his second consecutive 74.

"Sometimes golf is tough. Nothing went my way, but I can't say I made a fool of myself. I played pretty well for 30 holes," said Blixt, who had two double bogeys on the first day.

Several players struggled in the strong winds including Miguel Angel Jimenez who shot a 73 on the day for a two-under total.

Scandinavian Masters leaderboard

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