Anna Rossi took a two-stroke lead at ten-under-par after the second day at the Dinard Ladies Open.
The 25-year-old from Treviso added another five-under-par 65 in calm conditions to her opening 65 to finish two strokes clear of Julie Maisongrosse, 23, from France.
Rossi’s score – which included five birdies and no bogeys – was matched by Maisongrosse and also the 2010 Murcia Ladies Open champion, Julie Tvede, who finished at six-under par tied with Australian Stacey Keating.
England’s Danielle Montgomery, Finn Sohvi Harkonen and Holland’s Marjet van der Graaf were tied a further shot back in fifth place. Defending champion, Jade Schaeffer shot a second round 67 to sit alone in 8th position.
Rossi (pictured) who is not fully exempt for the Ladies European Tour this year is hoping to improve her position on the LETAS order of merit this week and give herself a great opportunity to gain her full playing rights for the 2012 LET season. She is aiming for the LET’s Qualifying School at the end of the year, but she will be able to bypass the gruelling contest should she finish in the top two places on the LETAS order of merit.
Overnight leader Mianne Bagger added a second round 73 to her opening 65 to be tied for ninth place with Swede Viva Schlasberg, Maria Beautell from Spain and France’s Lucie Andre.
At the end of the second round 27 players survived the cut with 2 of those being amateurs. The cut fell at 1 over par.