Laurie Canter continues Catalunya love affair

England's Laurie Canter holds a one-shot lead in the Catalunya Championship as he seeks a first DP World Tour title at a happy hunting ground.

Canter earned his Tour card at PGA Catalunya in both 2015 and 2016 and again demonstrated his liking of the Stadium Course with a second round of 67, the lowest score of the day.

That gave the 32-year-old a halfway total of seven under par, with compatriot James Morrison and South Africa’s Oliver Bekker on six under following rounds of 71 and 72 respectively.

Former Ryder Cup captain Thomas Bjorn is two shots off the pace, the 51-year-old Dane adding a second round of 70 to his opening 69.

Canter, who followed a birdie on the par-three fifth hole by holing his approach to the next for an eagle two, said: "I was in between clubs on the sixth and ended up going with a slightly shorter one, just hoped it jumped out of the rough.

"It came out well and, to be honest, it looked like it might be a bit long, but one bounce, two bounces and it disappeared.

"It’s such a long week but to play well and compete you need things to go your way and that was definitely a great break.

"I feel like I’ve spent half my life in this part of Spain, I think I’ve been to the qualifying school six or seven times. I know it well, know a few of the local restaurants, (so) you feel comfortable.

"I love this golf course, I love the facilities and everything about it. It’s genuinely a bit of a privilege to play it. I think it’s a really special place."

New Zealand’s Ryan Fox, who led from start to finish to win the Ras Al Khaimah Classic in February, was part of the five-strong group on five under after a 68 containing six birdies and two bogeys.

The sole Irish challenger to make the cut was Jonathan Caldwell, who sits