• Italian Open, Round Two

Home favourite Molinari stakes his claim with a 68

Francesco Molinari is among the leaders at the Italian Open © Getty Images

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Francesco Molinari further enamoured himself to the home fans at the Italian Open after firing a four-under 68 to move within two strokes of leader Robert Rock on day two at Royal Park near Turin.

The Ryder Cup star began the round two behind leading English duo Chris Wood and Rock but he made an early surge to assert himself at the top of the leaderboard. Beginning on the back nine, Molinari made birdies at the 11th, 14th and 15th to help him reach nine-under-par after 10 holes.

After a string of pars there was a brief wobble - a bogey at the par-four third - before he picked up further shots to finish alongside four others on 10-under-par for the tournament. Among that group is Wales' Rhys Davies, who followed an opening 66 with an encouraging 68. After a steady start, a couple of birdies breathed life into his round as he hit the turn in 34. Three more en route to the clubhouse has left him in a great position to go on and secure a second European Tour title.

Fellow frontrunner Frenchman Gregory Bourdy shot the same score, while Lorenzo Gagli signed for a 66 to put him in a tie for top spot. Gary Boyd also pushed his name into contention with a flawless display, in which he racked up an impressive seven birdies to sign for a bogey-free 65.

However, Rock heads into the weekend as outright leader thanks to a four-under 68 that leaves him on 12-under. The Englishman made early strides with two birdies from his first three holes before seven consecutive pars allowed his closest rivals to make up ground. He found an extra gear at the start of the back nine, picking up shots at the 11th and 12th to keep the momentum going, and when he erred at the 15th the Brit stayed strong to finish with a birdie at 18.

Compatriot Chris Wood is one off the pace after he failed to build on an astonishing opening round. Having hit five birdies and an eagle on the front nine 24 hours previously, Wood mixed five birdies and two bogeys to slip behind Rock. He is joined by Joost Luiten in second place on 11-under.

Victor Dubuisson may sit three shots off the leaders but he stole the show on Friday after a sparkling 62. The Frenchman was all at sea on day one, no less than six bogeys stopping him in his tracks as he walked off with a 73 to his name. However, a different player seemed to emerge on the second day, successive birdies from the 10th (where he began his round) showing he had buried the memories of his previous howler and he only got better as the round continued, picking up a further eight shots in a masterful performance.

Elsewhere, Italian prodigy Matteo Manassero sits among the pack on 10-under.

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