Scotland’s Ewen Ferguson battled a case of the post ‘course record blues’ to maintain the lead heading into the weekend rounds of the ISPS Handa World Invitational at Galgorm Castle in Co. Antrim.

Ferguson, 26, was out on the Massereene course, some 13 miles to the south of Thursday’s joint host Galgorm Castle course, and posting a level par score of 70 to remain at nine-under and in the lead by a shot in joint DP World Tour mens and Ladies European Tour event.

Ferguson was conscious of a let down in scoring after having posted a new course record 61 on Thursday, and seven rounds after having equalled the Torrance course record with a similar 61 but then following up that round on the outskirts of St. Andrews not with another low but a no-frills level par 72.

The Glaswegian did the same on day two in Northern Ireland with just three birdies and an equal number of bogeys and this effort a day after having sensationally snatched two eagles and five birdies.

And despite the nine-shot difference in his two rounds, the reigning CB Qatar Masters champ is not overly concerned.

Ferguson said: “I’m still playing nicely but I had a few more bad breaks today and missed a couple of the putts that I’ve kind of been making yesterday to keep my round going. Good putts, but just kind of lipping out, and yesterday they were kind of lipping in.

“You walk onto the next tee when they lip in, you feel amazing. When you walk on the next tee and they lip out you feel a bit flatter. But it was still a good day overall.

“I’m just having fun and trying to get myself in contention. I think that’s why we all practice. Being in contention is great fun. See if you can perform under pressure is a really good feeling.”

Spaniard Borga Virto continues to be in second adding a 67 to his first round 65 for an eight-under tally.

Fifer Connor Syme, who played alongside Ferguson his long-time good friend and hotel room companion, added a 68 to be well-placed in fifth place at six-under-par heading to the weekend.

And Glaswegian Calum Fyfe is making the most of only his second DP World Tour event with the 25-year-old father of two, signing for a one-over 71 to be inside the top-15 and tied with Pebbles Criag Howie (68) at three-under.

Fyfe has played 16 events this year on the secondary Challenge Tour but only made the weekend rounds in five, including the last three.

In the women’s event American Amanda Doherty, thanks to a pair ofd 67s, leads by a shot a 11-under.

Best of the remaining two Scots is Gemma Dryburgh sharing ninth place after rounds of 70 and 69, and with Kylie Henry at level par.