Spanish veteran Miguel Angel Jimenez put himself in a great position to become the European Tour’s oldest winner on Friday when he moved within one shot of the lead at the Andalucia Open.

Tournament promoter Jimenez fired a second round 68, and having turned 48 in January, the Ryder Cup star would be 39 days older than record holder Des Smyth if he grabbed his 19th European Tour title on Sunday.

Spain’s Eduardo de la Riva birdied the final hole at the Aloha Golf Club to claim the lead at the halfway stage.

Overnight leader Matteo Manassero of Italy, just 18, was also one off the pace but he would have been disappointed with his second round 73, having been three ahead on Thursday when he equalled the course record of 64.

De la Riva, ranked 610th in the world, is eight under for the tournament, a rare highlight in a career which has included nine visits to qualifying school.

“I had a poor start,” said 29-year-old de la Riva.

“I missed a three footer on the first and bogeyed the second from 20 feet. I was beginning to lose confidence, but then I hit it close and made birdie on the third – that settled me.

“I am very pleased with my birdie on 18 which is a challenging hole. I took a five wood and four iron over the water.”

Marcus Fraser (69,70) was the best-placed Australian, three off the pace.