Gonzalez takes lead at midpoint of SAS Masters

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LODDEKOPINGE, Sweden (AP) -- Ricardo Gonzalez of Argentina shot a 5-under 68 for the second consecutive day to take a one-stroke lead at the midpoint of the SAS Masters on Friday.

Gonzalez had six birdies and one bogey to finish at 10-under 136 at Barseback Golf Club on the longest course in European Tour history (7,665 yards).

Overnight leader Lee Slattery of England shot a 70 and was alone in second place.

Both pacesetters have been struggling this year. Gonzalez, who failed to qualify for last week's British Open, was 153rd in the "Race To Dubai" standings.

Tied for third at 6 under were Scotland's Richie Ramsay (70), the former U.S. Amateur champion, Sweden's Martin Erlandsson (70) and Spain's Pablo Larrazabal (71).

Henrik Stenson of Sweden, the highest ranked player in the tournament at No. 7 and a member of Barseback, birdied the last hole to make the cut at 1-over 147.

"At least I'm around for the weekend and hopefully I can put some gasoline on the fire now and really get going," Stenson said. "I've got to attack even more. I didn't use my driver until the last hole of the second round, but you'll be seeing more of it tomorrow."

Jesper Parnevik, who has been struggling on the PGA TOUR this season, shot 71 for a 145 and shared 29th place.

Parnevik won in 1995 at Barseback to become the first Swede to win a European Tour event in Sweden.