Jordan Smith takes 2-stroke lead at European Open

WINSEN, Germany (AP) — Jordan Smith surged into a two-stroke lead in the second round of the European Open on Friday, seeking his second tour win five years after his first came at the same venue.

Smith hit a 4-under-par 68 on a day when several of the other early contenders struggled.

The English player's only previous win on tour came at the 2017 European Open, also held at the Green Eagle Golf Courses near Hamburg.

Smith and second-placed Victor Perez, winner of the Dutch Open on Sunday, were the only players to post scores under par on each of the first two days.

Julien Brun and joint first-round leader Joakim Lagergren were each three strokes off the lead on 3 under, along with Danish golfer Niklas Nørgaard Møller, who had the best round of the day with a 5-under 67.

Last year's winner, Marcus Armitage, was tied for seventh on 1 under par.

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