ATZENBRUGG, Austria, Sept. 17 (UPI) -- John Parry shot a bogey-free 5-under-par 67 Friday and has the lead halfway through the European Tour's Austrian Golf Open.
Parry is at 8-under 136 after 36 holes, one stroke better than Graeme McDowell and Pelle Edberg, who each shot 4-under 68 Friday, and Jose Manuel Lara, who had a 1-under 71. Five more golfers are tied for fifth at 6-under 138.
First-round leader George Coetzee struggled to a 4-over 76 and dropped into a tie for 21st.
Parry closed Thursday's round with two birdies over his final three holes and kept consistent through Friday's round. He had five birdies, including three in the stretch covering Nos. 13-17.
"It was good -- it was similar to yesterday in that I was hitting it very solidly," Parry said. "I think I hit 17 greens, which is great because I haven't been hitting it that well recently."
It is the first time Parry, 23, has held the lead after two rounds of a European Tour event. He's looking for a strong finish as he's 117th in the European Tour's Race to Dubai and only the top 115 players keep their playing privileges for next year.
