Summary Francesco Laporta opened a one-shot lead at the Trophee Hassan II on Friday.
RABAT (AFP) - Italian rookie Francesco Laporta, who came out of qualifying school last November, opened a one-shot lead at the Trophee Hassan II on Friday after a second round of 70.
Playing on the tough Red Course at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam, the 25-year-old went into day two with a share of the lead at four under after an opening 68.
His efforts on Friday allowed him to edge ahead of Australia s Jason Scrivener, Spaniard Borja Virto Astudillo and Jeunghun Wang of South Korea.
"It s going to be exciting at the weekend," said Laporta. "It should be a great experience and I m looking forward to it. It was just a really solid display and I enjoyed it."
Astudillo had set the clubhouse target at five under in the morning but Laporta soon moved past that with birdies on the tenth and 12th.
A bogey on the 13th was followed by a double on the 14th but he then made three birdies in four holes to turn in 35 and take the lead.
Another gain on the second opened up a two-shot lead and he then missed birdie chances in a run of five pars before a missed short par putt on the eighth saw his advantage reduced.
For the first time, the men s and women s European tours are playing at the same course with the LPGA s Lalla Meryem Cup taking place on the neighbouring Blue Course.
Florentyna Parker leads after a second round 71. At six under par, the 26-year-old Englishwoman is two strokes ahead of compatriot Liz Young and Frenchwoman Isabelle Boineau, with Norwegian Marianne Skarpnord also four under after 17 holes.
