England's John Parry, winner of his first European Tour title only two weeks ago, charged five strokes clear of the field with a superb seven under par 65 at St Andrews.
The 23 year old Challenge Tour graduate, a team-mate of Rory McIlroy at the 2007 Walker Cup, left nine members of Europe's Ryder Cup Team - McIlroy included - trailing in his wake with seven birdies in the windy and murky conditions.
Parry, in the first group out, stood 12 under par, with big-hitting Spaniard Alvaro Quiros seven under and then Monday's hero Graeme McDowell and Cup colleagues Ross Fisher and Martin Kaymer joint third with Dane Thomas Björn and Scot Martin Laird one further back.
McIlroy, though, was all the way down on two over and Lee Westwood, battling on in pursuit of the World Number One spot despite suffering a recurrence of his calf problem, two under with four to play.
The cut to the leading 60 comes after Saturday's third round, with three courses being used for the celebrity pro-am. All The Ryder Cup stars will switch from St Andrews to Carnoustie.
