Graeme McDowell's hopes of mounting a late charge in the defence of his Scandinavian Masters title were washed away this morning.
Glorious sunshine on the first two days gave way to persistent rain in Malmo and the early starters looked like having the worst of the conditions.
McDowell was among those after rounds of 73 and 72 left him one over par at the halfway stage, nine shots behind leader and former Walker Cup team-mate Nick Dougherty.
The 24-year-old from Northern Ireland, who celebrated his birthday on the eve of the tournament, had not given up hope of forcing his way back into contention with the lengthened course meaning a high winning total was likely.
But after a birdie on the second got him back to level par, two bogeys took him out in 37 and three more dropped shots in four holes left him five over and 13 off the pace.
McDowell won in Stockholm last year in only his fourth European Tour event, but could also see that achievement put in the shade if Luke Donald went on to claim the £225,000 first prize.
Donald has already won on the US Tour after a superb amateur career which saw him win seven points out of a possible eight in two victorious Walker Cup appearances - the second alongside Dougherty and McDowell in Georgia in 2001.
However, this week's £1.3million event is just his second regular tournament on the European circuit after last week's debut in the Irish Open at Portmarnock.
It has not stopped the talented 25-year-old from claiming a share of second place going into today's third round, just three shots behind Dougherty.
Dougherty, who partnered Donald to his only Walker Cup loss, lies eight under par after rounds of 67 and 69, with Donald's second round 68 taking him alongside Mark James and Holland's Maarten Lafeber on five under.
Before the last fortnight, Donald's only other experience on the European Tour came in missing the cut on all four of his Open championship appearances, including this year at Royal St George's after playing with Tiger Woods and Sergio Garcia in the first two rounds.