World Cup leader Thomas Bjorn feels for the golfers trying to chase him down at Royal Melbourne this weekend.

The Danish 42-year-old shot a three-under-par second round 68 on Friday to move to eight under overall and the outright lead.

American Kevin Streelman is one shot behind, but only two other golfers, Australia’s Jason Day and Portugal’s Ricardo Santos, are within four shots.

Bjorn, who again declared his love for the course, said anyone trying to make up significant ground on the testing lay-out faced a mighty challenge.

“If you get aggressive then it becomes really really difficult,” Bjorn said.

“I think that’s the problem if you start chasing on this golf course.

“I knew coming in here that it was important to get a good start because then you never feel like you’re chasing birdies.

“As soon as you start chasing flags you’re going to find yourself in so much trouble.

“It’s very playable if you play it sensible.

“But if you’re behind and you obviously feel like you’ve got to chase it then it becomes extremely tricky.”

World No.2 Adam Scott, who sits nine shots behind at the tournament halfway point as he seeks his third straight win, is one player who needs a huge weekend.

Bjorn said Scott was one of the world’s three stand-out players, along with Tiger Woods and Swede Henrik Stenson, and nothing could be ruled out from him.

But he said regardless, the US Masters champion deserved the adulation of Australian fans.

“You’ve got the greatest ambassador in golf, the nicest guy you’ll ever meet and what he’s doing for Australian golf at the moment is just remarkable,” Bjorn said.

“Most other golfers would have chased a bit of cash around the world and done other things.

“Australia should be proud of what he does these four weeks, that’s for sure.”