A flawless 67, three under par and the best of the championship so far, promoted Bristol's George Ryall to the top of the leaderboard after the second round of the Senior PGA Professional Championship.
Playing over Northants County, the 50-year-old continuing his rookie season as a senior, improved by six strokes on Tuesday's effort. He's now ready to fulfil one of his more immediate ambitions - to finish in the top 20 and gain a spot in the De Vere Collection PGA Seniors Championship at Slaley Hall a month from now.
"It's just so tough getting into European Senior Tour events", admitted Ryall. "I tied 10th at their tour school during the winter - you'd think that might get you a few starts - but in fact I'm 29th reserve for the Jersey Seniors. I needed to finish in the first six to get a steady number of starts.
"So the only way to catch the eye - or get sponsors' invites - is to do something decent at Slaley."
Having won the only two regional pro-ams he's played this summer, and victorious in all four of his PGA Cup matches against the USA in Georgia two years ago, Ryall has his eye on today's first prize of £4,750. Few would feel inclined to bet against that happening.
His nearest challenger is defending champion, Bill Lockie from Ayrshire, who added a 70 to his opening 72.
Overnight leader, Austrian-based Donald Stirling, didn't quite say 'goodbye Vienna' to his chances of regaining the title he won two years ago, but his 75 leaves him three shots off the pace when he tees up this morning.
Former European Tour player, Frank Hill from Thorpeness, who picked up his old age pension this year, also added another hole-in-one to his collection, a perfect six-iron at the 174-yard 15th, sighted 'on the last pine tree on the left, and just came in perfectly'.
"That makes seven in all, but it's at least 25 years since my last one. It's still a nice feeling", said Frank.
28 May, 2009