LEE Westwood picked up two birdies in three holes to signal his intentions early on the second day of the Belgacom Open on the Royal Zoute course in Knokke, Belgium.
The world number six resumed in a five-way share of second place on six under par and had moved to a share of the lead at eight under prior to Sweden's Ollie Karlsson moving to the front at nine under par.
Westwood, a former champion in this event and a four-times winner on the European Tour this season, birdied the first and third holes while Karlsson, now based in Tyneside, picked up three birdies in nine holes.
South Africa's Hennie Otto, who held the first-round lead at seven under par, joined Westwood at eight under after nine holes.
Hereford's David Park was three under after the first round with Droitiwch's John Bickerton and Jeremy Robinson of Evesham on level par.
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