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Stephania Croce claims halfway lead in Denmark

Stefania Croce carded a level par 72 to maintain her lead after the second round of the Nykredit Masters at Odense Eventyr Golfklubb in Denmark .

The 36-year-old Italian finished on a total of seven-under-par, two strokes ahead of Denmark 's Karen Magrethe Juul and England 's Laura Davies.

Juul, the best Danish player, had a flawless five-under-par 67, which was the best score of the day and she finished on a five-under-par total. Davies had a 69 and climbed into contention after an opening 70.

Croce fired a course record 65 in the first round but had to contend with tougher winds thanks to a later tee time in her second round.

“I'm happy with even - today was so hard,” said Croce. “The wind was moving sideways on so many holes. Even though I three-putted twice in the last three holes I had a lot of one putts in the beginning to compensate.”

Croce carded four birdies and four bogeys in her second round, reaching nine-under-par after she birdied the par-five eighth hole.

She dropped a shot at the 11 th and then picked up another at the par-four 13 th but bogeyed holes 16 and 17 coming home.

“It was a totally different day today. Yesterday was easy because you could aim for the pin but today was just about getting the ball on the green and making two putts,” she said.

Davies, who is currently leading the New Star Money List, added: “It was very blustery out there and the balls were not exactly moving, but shaking on the greens at times. It makes the concentration very important.

“It's almost like a real job when you have to battle against the wind. Golf should be played in nice easy weather and should be fun but that was not easy today. I'm playing well. I've been putting well and hitting some good drives.”

Juul, 30, from Copenhagen , missed the cut in the 2005 Nykredit Masters and is aiming to make amends for that performance this week.

“I feel like I'm trying to make a come back after missing the cut last year. It was a good round today as it wasn't easy out there but I like playing in the wind,” she said. “I grew up playing in the wind so I'm playing with it and not against it and I don't get frustrated.”

Juul, the top ranked Dane in the tournament at 20 th in the New Star Money List, last played the tournament six years ago as an amateur. This week, she aims to secure her first Ladies European Tour victory.

“I feel I'm playing better each year and I've really improved this year. I'm hitting the ball well but mentally I'm a lot stronger too.”

Australia 's Rebecca Stevenson, Germany 's Martina Eberl and Italy 's Barbara Paruscio finished four shots off the lead on three-under-par while Australia 's Heidi McCulkin finished tied with French women Virginie Auffret and Sophie Giquel on two-under-par.

Denmark 's Iben Tinning, the defending champion, carded rounds of 70 and 75 to finish on one-over-par, four shots clear of the halfway cut, which fell at five-over-par.