The Englishman would move back to number one with victory in Antalya, dethroning Brooks Koepka, and after finishing the opening round in a tie for second, he pulled clear through 36 holes.

Rose, the 2017 winner, is looking to defend a title for the first time in his career and continues to look at home at the European Tour event.

Repeating his first-round 65 to move to 12 under, Rose’s only blip on Friday was a bogey at the 10th from which he bounced back swiftly.

Thorbjorn Olesen looked set to head into the weekend with a share of the lead, but a bogey at the 18th - his first of the week - nudged the Dane back into second before his Ryder Cup team-mate birdied the same hole to increase his advantage.

Olesen is joined on 10 under by Rose’s compatriots Danny Willett and Tom Lewis, who stormed into contention with an eight-under 63.

Overnight leader Paul Dunne could only manage an even-par second round, leaving him in a tie for 11th with six others, including Padraig Harrington, Martin Kaymer and Nicolas Colsaerts.

0 votes