Tom McKibbin in the mix at halfway of Andalucia Masters

Tom McKibbin is four shots off the lead at the halfway point of the Andalucia Masters.

After a first-round 70 on Thursday, the Holywood golfer improved on that by carding a 69 to move up to five under and into a five-way tie for 14th at Real Club de Golf Sotogrande.

McKibbin had just one bogey on 10, otherwise enjoying a strong round with birdies on two, three, 11 and 14.

LEADERBOARD

Defending champion Adrian Otaegui shares the lead after posting two successive bogey-free rounds.

The home favourite, who secured a spectacular six-shot victory at nearby Real Club Valderrama 12 months ago to win this title, followed up his opening 66 with a patient second-round 69 on Friday afternoon to join Louis de Jager and Jeong weon Ko at the summit on nine under par.

Starting the day two shots off the lead, Otaegui opened his second round with a tap-in birdie, but had to wait a while for his next one after making 14 straight pars.

The four-time DP World Tour winner missed a series of birdie opportunities during that run but made no mistake from 20 feet on the 16th green before making it two in a row at the 17th.

He had an outside chance to complete his birdie hat-trick and take the outright lead on the 18th, but instead settled for a two-putt par and a clean card.

Speaking about managing to avoid making a bogey, Otaegui said: "I'm proud.

"I think I played very solid from tee to green, didn't put myself in too much trouble over the last two days.

"I thought at the beginning of the round (the wind) was pumping quite strong so it's obviously easy to make a silly mistake or a bogey so that's a good thing as well."

Additional reporting: PA