Reuters - US Open Champion Michael Campbell admitted to rustiness on Friday but the New Zealander stayed on course to claim the Quinn Direct British Masters title in his first week back after a month's lay-off.
The New Zealander, who was European Number Two last season, feels his status as a Major Champion and eight-time European Tour champion could tell at the weekend.
Campbell's second round two under par 70 to move to seven under par 137, took him alongside joint-leader Ian Poulter of Britain, who carded a 69.
Both players have just returned to Europe after a hiatus. Campbell has spent his time relaxing in Australia after playing the Masters Tournament last month and Poulter is back on The European Tour after an indifferent spell on the US PGA Tour.
Campbell said he had gained confidence from a good finish when posting a 67 to be only a stroke off the pace in the first round but lack of match practice, coupled with a head-cold, took its toll a little for the New Zealander, on Friday he said.
"Today was a reflection of not playing much at all, I hit a few stray shots.
"That cost me a few bogeys but besides that, it's nice to go out and play a 'B' game the last couple of days and have a chance to win.
"There's a long way to go but I know I'm going in the right direction."
The US Open champion feels his reputation might give him an edge at the weekend. "You would think, logically, my peers would think of me being a threat at the weekend, which is kind of nice, nice for the ego.
"It's nice, really empowers me, too, to have that feeling of looking at me as a major front-runner for this event."
Northern Irishman Graeme McDowell surged into a share of third place spectacularly, holing in one three holes from home to shoot a 68 to move to six under par
McDowell, who cited a return to his coach Butch Harmon for recent better form after also suffering a poor spell in America, admitted he was so excited by his ace his mind was not fully on the job when he bogeyed the eighth hole, his 17th, to deny himself a share of the lead.
Britain's former British Amateur champion Graeme Storm equalled the course record 64 to lie third.
Overnight joint-leader Peter Hanson bogeyed the last to drop back to third place with a 72.
