Bruschi making home advantage tell

Italy’s Alessio Bruschi continues to make the most of home advantage as he holds a one stroke lead at the halfway mark of the First Qualifying Stage Section C at Bogogno.

The Italian venue is one of two courses, along with Ribagolfe in Portugal, hosting this week’s instalment of the first leg of the European Tour Qualifying School process.

Bruschi followed his brilliant opening 64 with a three under par 69 to move to 11 under par and one clear of Swiss amateur Joel Girrbach.

The goal is not to win but simply to progress through to the next stage to move another step closer to the dream ticket to the European Tour and a place in the top 24 and ties at Bogogno is the target over the next two rounds.

At Ribagolfe, Belgium's Thomas Pieters has carved open a commanding five stroke lead at the halfway stage after a five under par 67 took him to 12 under 132 and well ahead of second placed Daniel Berger of the United States.

The target in Portugal is also to finish among the top 24 and ties to progress through to the Second Qualifying Stage, to be held on three courses in Spain in November.