Verplank took full advantage of the benign conditions

Scott Verplank established a 36-hole record for the tournament at 16 under par as he shot a bogey-free nine-under-par 63 to take a three-shot lead.

Brian Gay and Todd Barranger are tied for second after Gay went round in 66 and Barranger carded a 65.

Verplank was pleased he took full advantage of the ideal playing conditions.

"This is as good a weather as you can have out here," he said.

"I've played a lot of times where the wind was blowing a lot harder and the greens were firmer and the golf course was playing a lot more difficult."

Verplank, a former US Amateur champion, has not won on the PGA tour since claiming his fourth career title at the 2001 Canadian Open.

He had nine birdies in his second round at the English Turn Golf & Country Club, with one birdie coming from a 20-foot putt and two from 15-yard putts.

"It really was one of those deals with the hole kept getting in the way of my putts," he joked.

Davis Love III, who is seeking his second win in as many starts, has a share of fourth on 12 under par.

Overnight leader Peter O'Malley was joined by Sweden's Fredrik Widmark at the top of the Italian Open leaderboard after round two at Gardagolf.

Australia's O'Malley dropped a shot at the last for a 70 to slip back to 10-under, level with Widmark, who fired a career-best 65.

But the pair will be aware of the presence of former seven-time European number one Colin Montgomerie, who carded a second-round 67 to lift himself to seven under.

One shot behind O'Malley and Widmark was Rolf Muntz, who climbed to nine under with a 66.

Another shot further adrift were Swede Pehr Magnebrant and Dane Steen Tinning, who equalled the course record with a 64.

Widmark is in his first season on the Tour after claiming his card by finishing 14th on the Challenge Tour.

Montgomerie signed for his first sub-70 round of the year after a much-publicised change of clubs.

The Ryder Cup star fired five birdies and an eagle at the 17th but also dropped shots at the eighth and 10th.

"Things weren't going very well. It was not quite right but it was a lesson in how to stay patient and miss it on the right side of the hole and give yourself a chance of up-and-down," said Montgomerie.

"If I can straighten out my driving I've got a chance."

Defending champion Ian Poulter got back into contention with a 66 to leave him poised on four under as he targets his third Italian Open title in four years.