Jesper Svensson overcomes illness and inclement weather to secure share of lead in Bahrain

Svensson defied swirling winds to cover his first eight holes in six under par and eventually signed for a second round of 65 at Royal Golf Club to join Dylan Frittelli and Joel Girrbach at the top of the leaderboard on nine under par.

The leading trio enjoy a one-shot lead over Spain's Alejandro del Rey, with former Ryder Cup player Jamie Donaldson another stroke back alongside overnight leader Tom Vaillant, Julien Guerrier, Harrison Endycott and Ockie Strydom.

"It was tough out there," Svensson said after carding the lowest round of his DP World Tour career.

"I decided from the beginning to play quite conservatively and play for the big targets. For the first part of the round every time I had a putt it had a chance of going in.

"I've been sick most of the time this week so I'm just going to try and get some rest and hopefully get some energy back."

Frittelli birdied his final hole in fading light to card a 68 and insisted he wanted tougher conditions over the weekend as he chases a third DP World Tour win.

"When I got out of bed this morning and looked out the window it looked like horrendous wind out there and I wasn't too psyched up for the round, but I knew that meant if I played well, I'd push up the leaderboard and get near the top," Frittelli said.

"I'm proud of the way I played.

"I'd like more wind. I like something that adds an element of skill and experience. The perfect conditions in Ras Al Khaimah last week did not suit me, guys were just making birdie on every hole.

"I like an element of trickery and random little things that pop up, but I'm excited to play and be in contention."

READ MORE: DP World Tour: Tom Vaillant leads Bahrain Championship by one stroke