Three weeks ago, Matthew Baldwin was laughing at himself for mishitting a drive so badly that the ball went between his legs and advanced just one yard in front of the tee markers. On Friday, the No.

Baldwin, who held a one-shot lead overnight, added a second round of 66 to his opening 65 for a halfway total of 13 under par, equalling the tournament record set by Paul McGinley in 2008.

Three weeks ago, Matthew Baldwin was laughing at himself for mishitting a drive so badly that the ball went between his legs and advanced just one yard in front of the tee markers.On Friday, the No. 363-ranked journeyman from England was the second-round clubhouse leader by three strokes at the flagship event on the European tour and preparing himself for the biggest weekend of his career.

Matthew Baldwin was setting an unexpectedly hot pace at the BMW PGA Championship after shooting 6-under 66 to establish a three-stroke clubhouse lead midway through the second round of the European tour’s flagship event on Friday.

Matthew Baldwin, the No. 363-ranked journeyman from England, is the second-round leader by two strokes at the BMW PGA Championship and preparing himself for the biggest weekend of his career.