Latin ace Juan Quiros proved a man for all seasons by mastering more difficult conditions at Slaley Hall to claim the clubhouse lead on day two of the De Vere Collection PGA Seniors Championship.
The Spaniard outshone his playing partners Ian Woosnam and defending champion Carl Mason, to card a 71 - only the third under par score of the tournament to date - to stand at level par for the tournament following his opening round 73.
Quiros, with one win already under his belt following victory in the Irish Seniors Open, stepped up his hunt for a third Seniors' title of his career with an outward 35 including birdies at the 15th and 17th holes. A solitary birdie on the second (his 12th) was cancelled out by a bogey on eight but he holed an eight footer at the last to close out an impressive round.
"I think I played better yesterday than today but today I was lucky on a few holes and had a few good putts - that was the difference," he said.
"Conditions are wet and so many holes are playing longer and you have to be careful if you miss the fairway maybe you lose the ball.
"I'm very happy - every time I'm under par in the clubhouse I'm happy but especially today with the course so difficult."
A double-bogey at the first was indicative of Woosnam's struggles as he added a 76 to his opening 79 but the Order of Merit leader was in bullish mood and was hoping to be around for the weekend to find his form and give the North East golf fans a show.
"The object of exercise for me now is to try and get things going on Saturday then hopefully on Sunday I can climb up the field, pick up some Order of Merit points and give the crowd some good golf to watch," he said.
Defending champion Mason is six over for the championship having posted a 73 and was reasonably optimistic about his prospects for the weekend if he can work out the greens.
"I'm finding them difficult to read and I'm holing nothing at all. I've had a couple of birdies but have stiffed both shots for tap-ins. I'm not putting well enough but I'm playing well.
"If I can get the putter going then I've got a chance because the scoring is not going to be high today unless someone putts and chips really well."
Crowd favourite Sam Torrance displayed his battling qualities with a three over par 75 and some improved putting has given him confidence ahead of the weekend.
"Have I got a chance of winning from here? Absolutely," he said.
"I may need a couple of 68s but anything is possible. What gives me a little bit more confidence is that I started sinking some putts over the last few holes.
"I changed my putting style to get the top of the broom handle a bit lower, just below my neck and the top of my chest and it seemed to work ok."
A group of players are sitting at four over par including Bill Longmuir, Eamonn Darcy, Gordon Brand Junior and Bill McColl.
First round leaders Ross Drummond and Giuseppe Cali are among the afternoon starters.