A southern-hemisphere flavoured second round at the Madrid Masters left Marcus Fraser and Charl Schwartzel in command at Club de Campo Villa de Madrid on Friday.

Australian Fraser, an overnight leader with Paul Broadhurst and Magnus A Carlsson, boosted his victory hopes with a five under 66 which leaves him joint leader with South Africa's Schwartzel on nine under 133.

But with a seven under 64 - the field's best score over two rounds so far - the South African held the bragging rights.

Sweden's Steven Jeppesen and Robert Rock of England sit two shots further back on 135, with a five-strong chasing group which includes Scotland's Stephen Gallacher on 136.

Spanish star Jose Maria Olazabal failed to keep pace following his promising first round of 70.

The former double Masters champion, who is making a third return to the tour after a series of injury and illness setbacks, carded 72 and is now hovering dangerously over the cut line.

Following his solid 67 from the first round Fraser had a lightning start on a round that was peppered with eight birdies, the only sour note the three bogeys he picked up as he approached halfway.

He registered birdies at the first, third and fourth holes, but then had three consecutive bogeys following his par at the fifth.

Fraser regained his composure at the 10th, where he birdied the first of three consecutive holes, before registering another two birdies at the 14th and 15th.

With only five birdies, Schwartzel might have appeared less spectacular but after an eagle three at the fourth hole the South African played a steady, bogey-free round that also saw him register birdies at the 13th, 14th and 15th.

AFP