Goosen won the Lancome Trophy in 2000

The world number 12 added a second-round 65 to his opening 63 for a 14 under par halfway total of 128 at St Nom-la-Breteche.

The former US Open champion leads by four shots from Spain's Carlos Rodiles, runner-up here last year, and Belgian youngster Nicolas Colsaerts, with Ryder Cup hero Paul McGinley a shot further back.

Colin Montgomerie made the cut with just a shot to spare but Lee Westwood bogeyed the last to miss out by one in his first event since ending his three-year victory drought in Munich a fortnight ago.

Goosen, who has all but given up hope of defending his Order of Merit title as he is currently �1.2m behind fellow South African Ernie Els, won the title here in 2000 and was runner-up the following year.

LEADERBOARD - 14: Retief Goosen (Rsa) -10: Carlos Rodiles (Spa) Nicolas Colsaerts (Bel) -9: Paul McGinley (Ire) -8: Hennie Otto (Rsa) Mikael Lundberg (Swe)

On that occasion he lost a four-shot lead over the last four holes to Sergio Garcia but the 34-year-old is confident of holding on for his ninth tour victory.

Goosen holed out from 105 yards for an eagle on the fifth and birdied the next three holes to be out in 31.

He said: "Pretty much all of my wins have come when leading from the front, including the US Open.

"Once I get in front I seem to be pretty comfortable there. I got off to a slow start today and made a good save from the bunker on the third before the eagle really got me going."

Second placed pair Rodiles and Colsaerts both completed second successive rounds of 66, with Rodiles actually making it three in a row including his final round last year.

The best round of the day belonged to unknown Scot Murray Urquhart, who carded a superb 63 for a five under par halfway total of 137.

The 30-year-old from Inverness has earned nothing on the European Tour this season after failing to make a single cut in 12 events.

He has earnt just �1,500 all season by virtue of making one cut in nine events on the Challenge Tour and only found out he was in this event on Sunday, but after starting with a bogey to be four over, picked up nine birdies in the next 15 holes.

"I'm chuffed, I have no idea where there that came from," admitted Urquhart, who won the 36th card out of 38 at the qualifying school last November.

Montgomerie had literally nothing to say after struggling to a second round 72 which contained just two birdies and three bogeys.

When asked for his comments afterwards the seven-time European number one simply said, "Nothing," as he walked away.

Playing partner and Open champion Ben Curtis made the cut right on the mark of one under.