Leader knows closing rounds in Italy will be anything but a Canter

England’s Laurie Canter says he will need to keep the birdies coming in order to conver t his halfway lead at the Italian Open into a ma i d e n European Tour title.

The 30- year- old, who has spent the majority of his decade in the professional ranks on minor tours and made a fourth successful trip to the European To u r ’ s qualifying school in November on his ninth visit, added a secondround 68 to a spectacular opening 60 at Chervo Golf Club.

At 16 under he leads by two from compatriot Ross McGowan, with South A f r i c a ’s Dean Burmester two shots further back in third.

Canter said: “More of the same, definitely tomorrow. You can’t take your foot off around here, the scoring is going to be good, a lot of good players behind. I’ve got to go out and do what I’m doing and hopefully give myself a chance on Sunday.”

Canter got off to a flying start on a gloomy day in Brescia. He fired to six feet at the second to set up a birdie and converted from 10 and five feet at the next two holes to complete a hattrick of gains.

Another birdie at the ninth looked like setting up Canter to establish a commanding lead, but after a poor tee shot at the 11th led to a bogey, he lost his mo m e n t u m before birdieing the last.

McGowan almost qualified for Europe’s 2010 Ryder Cup side after an impressive 2009 season but lost his card in 2011 and has struggled to return to the top tier since. He reeled off eight birdies in a flawless 64, with Burmester signing for a 68.

Laurie Canter leads by two shots in Italy.