Defending champion Robert Karlsson continued his love affair with the European Masters today, firing a four-under-par 67 to move one stroke clear after the second round.
The 34-year-old Swede, who led from start to finish to clinch last year's title, finished at 10-under-par 132, ahead of second-placed Argentine Eduardo Romero, who won the event in 2000.
South Africans, led by world number two Ernie Els, filled three of the next seven spots on the leaderboard.
Joint overnight leader Els was not at his best, but two birdies in his last three holes for a two-under-par 69 took him to eight under with playing partner Michael Campbell of New Zealand, who posted a 67.
Els's compatriot Trevor Immelman joined them on 134 by carding a 66, with another South African, Richard Sterne, among a group of four at seven under after carding a best-of-the-week 64.
Spain's Sergio Garcia was five strokes off the second-round lead in Crans after a 70 and another player looking for early Ryder Cup points this week, Colin Montgomerie, is six behind after carding a 68.
Ronan Rafferty (71) and Philip Walton (69) lead the Irish challenge on two under par. Peter Lawrie (+3), Damien McGrane (+6) and Graeme McDowell (+7) all missed the cut.