England's Steve Webster moved into contention for the Open de France ALSTOM in Paris - one week after spending five hours in hospital because of an eye injury.
The 34 year old, hit by a loft door as he helped his father, fired a six under par 65 at Le Golf National to reach halfway on the eight under par total of 134.
That was one behind overnight leader Martin Kaymer - among the day's later starters - and enough for a share of the clubhouse lead with South African Charl Schwartzel.
"I was worried quite a lot at first because it cut inside my eye," said Webster, who missed last week's event in Germany following the incident.
"I had to have x-rays first and then stitches. The doctor told me 'Lay on the bed and don't move - I'm just going to put two needles in your eye'. I had a black eye for a few days, but I was lucky really. I told him to make me a better putter while he was at it - and he seems to have done a good job!"
Former European Tour player Gary Evans was also given some of the credit, however, after making a couple of suggestions.
"He was a great putter, and if I putt well I can shoot low. It's a nice feeling when you hit it to 15 feet and feel you have a chance of making it."
Schwartzel admitted his game was being given a tough examination by the Le Golf National course.
“The first couple of years that I came here I really struggled but I seem to have worked out how to play it and the last couple of years have been a lot better,” he said after his 66. “The course can bite you but if you play well you will make chances for birdies.”
Peter Hanson holds fourth place, while four successive birdies from the second helped Lee Westwood into a tie for sixth place.
“I have been hitting well and did some good work at home last week,” said England’s World Number 19. “I have managed to take what I have been working in on the range onto the golf course. My driving has been great and I am hitting parts of the greens that I want to.”
Webster, twice a runner-up this season, actually shared top spot with one to play - but pushed his drive down the difficult last and bogeyed.
Swede Hanson reached ten under but then went in the lake and double-bogeyed the first, his tenth of the day.
Kaymer extended his lead to two with a birdie at the sixth and John Bickerton moved to seven under through his first two holes.
