NEWPORT, Wales, June 3 (UPI) -- Alexander Noren had four birdies in his final five holes Friday and grabbed the lead of the European Tour's Saab Wales Open.
Noren had six birdies and two bogeys in turning in his second consecutive 4-under-par 67. He is at 8-under 134 of the tournament, one stroke ahead of Wales Open defending champion Graeme McDowell, who was 3-under on Friday.
Jamie Donaldson (68 Friday) and Victor Dubuisson (69) are tied for third at 6-under 136. First-round leader Keith Horne, who was 2-over for the second round, is in a group of four players tied at 5-under.
Noren was 4-under in the first round because he had five birdies on the second nine. Friday he was even-par after 10 holes, due to bogeys at 1 and 10 that he offset with birdies at Nos. 4 and 9, but closed with birdies at 14, 15, 16 and 18.
McDowell got within one of Noren with a birdie at 18 but it was a string of four brides over Nos. 8-12 that put him in that position. He also had bogeys at No. 1 and 14. He also bogeyed the 14th hole Thursday.
