The Scot fired off a 68 to add to his first round 66, which afforded him the overnight lead with Alejandro Cañizares on Thursday, to finish at ten under for the tournament so far.

Along with five birdies, Whiteford carded an eagle at the par five sixth, his 15th hole, to end the day two ahead of Thailand's Prom Meesawat.

"I had a sticky patch at the start - it was freezing cold this morning and it's a lot harder," Whiteford said.

"But once it warmed up a bit I started to play a bit better and gave myself a few chances. I had a good eagle on the sixth which kick-started me a bit to finish well. I hit driver and a six iron and then holed a good putt, about 30 feet across the slope."

The colder weather didn't bother Meesawat, however, who is also competing for his first European Tour title.

"I like the cold better than the hot and humid weather as I tend to perspire a lot," he said.

Meanwhile Cañizares ended the day five back after a 73 forced him down the leaderboard, alongside four Brits: Ireland's Paul McGinley, Scot Marc Warren, England's Jamie Moul and Wales' Rhys Davies.

John Daly was nowhere to be seen on the course on Friday, having been forced to withdraw due to suspected torn ligaments in his right elbow, sustained during the opening round.