Scotland’s Stephen Gallacher saved par from six rows back in a final hole grandstand to share the lead after two rounds of the Omega European Masters in Switzerland.

Gallacher followed Padraig Harrington into spectator stand after both players thinned their second shots at the last for similar 65s on the Crans-sur-Sierre course.

It put the Scot in a tie for the lead on 10-under par with Danish-born 2010 champion, Thomas Bjorn (66).

Both Gallacher and Harrington, who is three back on seven under, hit spectators with the wild bunker shots and with Harrington leaving a large bruise on the elbow of a woman seated 12 rows back.

Stephen Gallacher (SCO) putts on the 17th green during Friday’s Round of the 2013 Omega European Masters. (Picture: Eoin Clarke www.golffile.ie)

Harrington said:  “I guess if there was no grandstand I would have been out-of-bounds for sure and it one of the times where the Rules of Golf help you out, so I made the most it.

“I know the woman was pleased to get a signed ball and I was pretty delighted to get the drop, and I didn’t kill anybody, so that’s not so bad.”

Gallacher’s round of seven birdies and just one bogey was his best by a shot in 24 rounds of the Swiss Alpine course.

And the reigning Omega Dubai Desert Classic champion is looking now to compete the Omega double with victory in the Alps.

He said:  “I’m actually putting good this week. I’m hitting the ball not bad, it was pretty ropey the last few holes, including that shot at the last, but overall not too bad.

“I’m in first place so that’s not bad! I’m happy with that. It gives me something to work on over the weekend.

“And the good thing also the back is okay. It has actually settled down.

“I’ve had a lot of physio and it seems to have died right down. I just have to keep stretching and I’m keeping the boys in the physio unit busy.”

Harrington is competing in the Alps for a first time since 2000 and he was delighted to partner the Scot.

He said:  “Stephen and myself enjoyed each other’s company both days and we talked about so many things such as the Walker Cup starting tomorrow in the States, players who we played against in our amateur days, so we always have a good time when we get paired together.

“It’s just amazing as Steve would have been a competitor of mine growing up and it’s also over time how your former competitors then become very much your friends (smiling).”

In contrast, Richie Ramsay crashed out of his Swiss title defence with scores of 73 and 71 with his second day beginning and ending with birdies but in between he posted four other birdies but also six bogeys.

But there was some joy for Ramsay two hours after his round when he unveiled his ‘Former Champions’ plaque set into the pavement on a Walk of Fame on both side of the main street of Crans Montana.

He said:  “I was very disappointed not to have made the cut but the unveiling of this plaque has given me great incentive to work hard these next two days on the range here before heading down the mountain to next week’s event in Holland.

“I just need to fix what went wrong this week (smiling).”

Craig Lee is just four off the pace on six under par and with his 65, in only his second Swiss showing, being his second lowest ever score on Tour and just a shot shy of a 64 he posted, and also at altitude, in last year’s 2012 commencing Joburg Open.

He said:  “I got a bit frustrated on Thursday flying the greens or coming up short but today my numbers were right on.”

Paul Lawrie is two shots behind Lee carding a 70 for a four under par tally.

And Glaswegian Chris Doak’s first trip up The Alps ended when he hobbled off with a sore foot after just eight holes and lying at 10-over par.

A Tour official said Doak had injured the foot climbing over a small fence on route to the practice range.