McGowan seizes the Estrotil Open lead

CASCAIS, Portugal, March 30 (UPI) -- England's Ross McGowan vaulted into a two-shot lead Friday midway through the European Tour's Estoril Open Golf Tournament at Cascais, Portugal.

McGowan shot 3-under-par 68 in the second round to separate himself from the pack and is at 6-under 136 with 36 holes to play.

"This is new territory for me, so we will see how it goes," McGowan, a tour rookie, said. "On the amateur scene, I had the lead after 36 holes, but it's different with the pros."

Countryman Nick Dougherty is alone in second place at 4-under 138, with England's Graeme Storm (67), Benn Braham (67), Sweden's Alexander Noren (68), Stephen Gallacher (71) of Scotland and Raphael Jacquelin (69) of France tied for third at 3-under 139.

Two-time defending champion Paul Broadhurst (71) of Scotland is tied for eighth at 2-under 140.

First-round leader Simon Dyson (74) is tied for 13th place at 1-under 141.