Matt Fitzpatrick fired a ten under par second round of 60 to surge into contention on day two of the KLM Open.
A day after Paul Lawrie and Wade Ormsby carded matching rounds of 61 at Kennemer Golf Club, the Yorkshireman notched ten birdies to produce the lowest score of The European Tour season, albeit with preferred lies in operation.
Meanwhile Søren Kjeldsen set the clubhouse lead on Friday, carding six birdies to move to 12 under par, with Ormsby a shot further back on 11 under.
After posting a one over par 71 on Thursday, Fitzpatrick began his second round with a par at the tenth, his first hole, before picking up six shots in his next seven holes to reach the turn in 28.
The 21 year old made another gain at the second before three successive birdies at the fifth, sixth and seventh holes gave him a real chance of breaking the 60 barrier.
But the former US Amateur Champion parred the eighth before watching his birdie putt from 20 feet at the last come up a few inches short of the hole as he finished the day on nine under overall.
Fitzpatrick was disappointed to fall just short of the 59 mark, but was delighted with his day's work.
He said: "I was just trying to get the read right on that putt on the last there – in fact I was thinking so much about the line I forgot about the pace of it, and it was a bit disappointing to leave it short.
"I knew what I had to do on that hole, and hit two good shots in, but I was a bit unlucky that the approach span back down the slope.
"But it’s been a great day and I can’t have any complaints about a 60.
"I’ve been shaking off a bit of rust. I didn’t play golf at all last week, I just had a break from it. Then this week I was keen to get going and start playing again. In the practice rounds I got the feeling back and I had a good session with Mike Walker on Tuesday. Today it just all came together.
"I feel like I’m ready to win. I’m getting closer and playing well. Hopefully it’s only a matter of time, and I’ll keep working on the same things and keep working hard.
"I wouldn’t say I’m chasing a win or anything; if anything I’m just trying to focus on World Ranking points and trying to get as far up the World Ranking as possible.
Kjeldsen, also beginning his round at the tenth tee, covered the front nine in 32 before back-to-back birdies at the second and third propelled him up the leaderboard.
The Dane then made further gains at the sixth and seventh holes to move up to 12 under par.
Kjeldsen was delighted with his second round score. He said: "It feels sweet. It was really good yesterday, and you guys always talk about how it’s hard to follow a good round with another one, and I suppose the statistics show that it is.
"I didn’t really have a number in mind or anything. I just kept playing my game and I managed to roll in a few putts again which was nice. You have to enjoy the days when things are going well. As you know, in golf we get all sorts, but today was another great day and I’m very happy with the way I played.
"It wasn’t a huge amount different playing in the morning than the afternoon. The greens are a little soft but they are holding up nicely – they didn’t get bumpy yesterday afternoon. It was a bit windier yesterday, but we had a good breeze again today.
"I’ve played with Matt (Fitzpatrick) before and he loves this kind of golf course as well, so I’m not surprised to see him do so well today. You have to shape shots and every tee you stand on it looks so inviting. It’s nice to have that feeling, where every hole you can’t wait to play it."
After opening up his round with ten successive pars, Ormsby mixed three birdies with a bogey on his back nine to card a second round 68.
The Australian was pleased with his score on day two. He said: "It was a little bit of a battle out there, but I held it together quite well. It’s always going to be hard following up a 61, so overall I’m pretty happy with two under today.
"It got a little bit boring there with ten successive pars but I was holding on and wanted to make a birdie before a bogey, which I did. My ball striking could be a bit better so I’ll go and do a bit of work on that this afternoon and get in shape for the weekend."
