Australian PGA Championship: Sweden's David Lingmerth leads at halfway

Swede David Lingmerth mastered windy conditions to hold a one stroke lead at the halfway stage of the European Tour co-sanctioned Australian PGA Championship at Royal Pines on the Gold Coast on Friday.

Lingmerth carded six birdies in his four-under 68 to lead a group of six golfers, including South African overnight leader Zander Lombard, after 36 holes.

World number 57 Lingmerth appeared to be one of few golfers with a good handle on the new-look course and the buffeting conditions.

"I know that I`ve won on the PGA Tour, probably the strongest tour in the world and I know I can do it," Lingmerth said.

"Of course that gives me some confidence going into the weekend but at the same time, these are all players that can shoot seven, eight under, both rounds out there over the weekend.

"I`m going to have to play very well to win but I do feel like I should have a good shot."

Lingmerth said he was disappointed top US drawcard Brandt Snedeker failed to make the final cut, the 34-year-old American crashing out with a wretched 15-over-par for the tournament.

"I want to beat him really bad ... but you want to beat the best players at their best, that`s what gives you confidence and strength," he said.

South African pair Dylan Frittelli and Lombard, Englishman Mark Foster, American Peter Uihlein, Spain`s Pablo Martin Benavides and Australian Matthew Millar were one off the lead.

The day`s best performance came from US-based Australian Rhein Gibson, who fired a course record eight-under-par 64 to be two shots off the lead at one-under.