Peter Whiteford overcame any concerns about potentially losing his card to post a second round 66 and grab a one shot lead at the halfway stage of the ISPS Handa Perth International.
Only the top 111 players on The Race to Dubai come Sunday will keep their cards for next season, and at 149th in the current standings Scot Whiteford is in the precarious position of requiring at least a top-two finish in Perth.
An opening 66 left him two off the first round pace, and there was little sign of what was to come when the 34 year old turned in a one under 35.
But three birdies and an eagle at the par five seventh for the second day running saw Whiteford move to 12 under par, one ahead of Dane Thorbjørn Olesen.
Whiteford, who has twice been a runner-up on The European Tour but has managed only one top-ten finish so far this season, said: “I played great and felt like I got what I deserved – it’s not often you say that in golf.
“You're always thinking you could've done better, but that eagle made me feel a lot better.
“This week it’s no holds barred - win or bust.
“I’m very nervous, there's no doubt about that. I’ve got to just keep attacking.
“I don't want to go back to school - nobody doe - but I get what I deserve in this game, and I've been awful all year. It's nice that the form is coming back later on in the year.”
The 24 year old Olesen, who won his only European Tour title in Sicily two years ago, opened with a course-record equalling 64 on Thursday, and followed that up with birdies at the 13th and 14th.
A first dropped shot of the week came at the 18th, but Olesen responded with birdies from inside five feet at the seventh and ninth after some good approach work to lead the way on 11 under.
“It's always tough to come back after a great round,” said Olesen. “To shoot another good round is tough.
“I felt like I played solid out there and gave myself a lot of chances for birdie, especially on the front nine. I had a few lip-outs, but the pins were a little bit trickier today and it made to a bit trickier with the putter.
“So I'm happy with the way I played; I hit a lot of greens and that's important here.”
Korea’s Sihwan Kim, another of those scrapping for his European Tour future this week, lies a shot further back in third, with England’s James Morrison third after ensuring Olesen and John Wade’s Lake Karrinyup record was short-lived with a 63.
At 138th in the current standings, Kim also needs at least a top-two finish to preserve his playing privileges.
Looking to make it consecutive Korean victories in the event after Jin Jeong’s success last year, Kim had five birdies – including from three feet at the short 12th after a fine tee shot – with his only blemish of the day coming at the last.
Morrison won in Madeira in 2010 but had to go back to Qualifying School last year after finishing 139th on The Race to Dubai, although 20 made cuts this season have ensured that won’t be the case this term, despite the 29 year old having not recorded a top-ten all year.
He carded nine birdies in a flawless round and admitted a poor finish on Thursday had ignited his desire to do well.
“I finished with double bogey last night, so it was kind of a bad end to a good day yesterday,” said Morrison.
“I knew I was playing well. I actually know in Perth it gets windy in the afternoon and calm in the morning, so I was hoping for a nice calm day. I got that and just played great all day really.
“I've got nothing to lose now really. I kept my card and I need a top two [to make the Final Series], so just keep on pushing really.
“I mean, it all depends on weather and how other guys are doing. I’m just going to enjoy it. No matter whether you’re last or first, playing out here is an absolute pleasure.
“It's one of those weeks where you don't really care if you make the cut on the mark or not. It's just great to play four days here and enjoy playing a fantastic golf course.”
Overnight joint-leader Wade added a level par 72 to remain eight under, with Major Champions Charl Schwartzel and Jason Dufner seven under and four under for the week.
The man Kim and several others are targeting, England’s Matthew Nixon who at 111th on The Race to Dubai would currently take the last card, safely made the cut on three under, but 110th-placed Lee Slattery missed the weekend and now looks vulnerable.
The likes of Edoardo De La Riva and Ricardo Santos look set for Qualifying School next month after missing the cut having started the week outside the top 111.
