Callum Tarren moves to the top at the halfway mark

Callum Tarren started the day three shots behind the lead and opened with two bogeys in his first four holes before firing seven birdies to close with a 67 and take a two-shot lead at 13-under at the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship.

“I got off to a shaky start today, but I knew I was playing good golf so I just stayed patient,” said the Englishman. A few bounce-back birdies, and I played really solid again. So just more of that and see what happens.

“I misjudged the wind on one, got it riding the wind and hit it up against the fence. I could hit it but it was against a rock so didn’t want to risk that. I just said, ‘ride this tough start’, but plenty of chances out there. Managed to capitalise on a few good shots.

“There were a couple in the middle of the round where I hit it to two feet and a foot with nine iron and a wedge. A couple of good saves coming in, a couple of good putts. The par save on 16, that keeps the momentum going.

“Shame about the last [missed birdie chance] but I’m ready to tackle the weekend. I’ve got to keep the foot to the floor because the course will yield birdies to the guys behind me. Just keep doing what I’m doing, stay patient.

“I feel very relaxed this week for some reason, I don’t know why. I just feel super chilled, so hopefully that’s a good omen.”

Italy’s Andrea Pavan made four consecutive birdies from the 2nd and produced four more on the back nine before making a bogey at the final hole. He lies in a share of second place at 11-under alongside England’s Daniel Brown who signed for a bogey-free 65.

Spain’s Pablo Larrazábal eagled the par-3 2nd and went on to make three birdies and a bogey at the 16th for a 68 and solo fourth place at 10-under.

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