Jason Scrivener grabbed a share of the lead at the ISPS Handa Vic Open alongside Nick Flanagan after a second round of 66.
Flanagan began the day with a two-shot lead after his opening 62 but slipped back to the chasing pack, with a dropped shot at the 15th proving costly as he signed for a 68 to move on to 14-under.
Joining him on the same mark is Australian compatriot Scrivener after he carded six birdies at the 13th Beach Golf Club to move to the top of the leaderboard heading into the weekend.
Having already posted three top-10 finishes in his four starts in 2019, Scrivener could be the man to watch during the remainder of the European Tour event in Victoria.
“Two solid days’ work,” he told the European Tour website. “Can’t really fault it. I played nicely, so looking forward to the weekend.
“Any time your game’s in a good place and you’re constantly making cuts and putting yourself in contention, it’s good for confidence. I just feel like over the last six months I’ve made some big improvements in my game and steadily progressing the last couple of years.
“I feel like it’s in a good position and I just want to give myself more chances to win tournaments. I definitely feel like I’ve been knocking on the door and I think the more chances I give myself, the better.”
Home players occupy the top-five spots at the halfway mark, with Wade Ormsby a shot off the lead after a 66 while Matt Jager (66) and Brad Kennedy (65) are a stroke further back.
The leading European contenders are Frenchman Clement Sordet and David Law of Scotland, who are in a three-way tie for sixth place alongside another Aussie, Nick Cullen, on 11-under.
