Rory McIlroy insisted there was a lot more left in the tank after shooting a second consecutive 67 at the Turkish Airlines Open.
The Race to Dubai leader heads into the weekend four shots behind Jaco Van Zyl, who added a 69 to his remarkable opening 61 on Friday to open up a two shot lead over the field, but McIlroy was just one of a host of experienced European Tour winners in the top ten.
Two-time Order of Merit winner Lee Westwood, former US Open champion Graeme McDowell, 2013 Turkish Airlines Open champion Victor Dubuisson and 2015 winners Chris Wood and Kiradech Aphibarnrat are all within five shots of the lead.
That sets up a fascinating weekend in the first of the Final Series events and, after seeing Van Zyl's 61 and a 63 from Matthew Fitzpatrick, McIlroy is confident he too can go low over the next two days.
"I think the two 67s that I shot were very comfortable," he said. "I didn't really do much. I didn't hole any long putts. It was two solid days of golf.
So if I can get something going, there's been low scores out there the last couple days. I definitely feel like there's a 62 or a 63 out there for me - Rory McIlroy
"I feel like this is as stress-free two 67s as I've shot this year.
"I made a couple of good putts to save pars over the past couple of days but for the most part I'm giving myself chances on most greens.
"I'm playing the par fives well, and if I continue to play the par fives well, I think that's the real key to this golf course. And maybe pick up a few more birdies along the way.
"I don't feel like I need to put myself under any pressure to get off to a good start tomorrow. Just play another solid round of golf and I'll hopefully be in there with a shout going into Sunday."
His compatriot McDowell went two shots better than McIlroy with a 65 as he looks to turn recent consistency into results in what has been a frustrating season.
The 36 year old has shot just two rounds over 70 since missing the cut at the US PGA Championship but has dropped to 80th in the Official World Golf Rankings and 64th in The Race to Dubai.
But after an impressive showing on Friday that left him nine under, McDowell is hopeful he can be right in the mix come Sunday afternoon.
"It's been building really sort of since the beginning of August," he said. "I took some time off after the PGA Championship and just cleared my head a little bit and I've really been enjoying this run of golf I'm on. I feel like momentum is building.
"I've had a few knock-backs on back nines on Sundays, but getting to those back nines on Sundays, that's been the key and that's been the part that's missing. So taking the odd hit is not a bad thing really.
"I'm really happy with the progress I've been making. It's been a tough year but I'm looking to finish strong and move to 2016 with some good vibes.
"It's nice to shoot low numbers always, even though this golf course is offering up some low numbers as you saw yesterday. Still, you've got to go out there and do the job and hit the shots and seven under par is certainly good for the confidence in general.
"See if I can keep the pedal down this weekend and compete and get myself there on the back nine on Sunday and get the old juices flowing, it'll be fun."
Dubuisson fired a 64 and is just three shots off the lead held by Van Zyl as he looks to claim a second win in three years at The Montgomerie Maxx Royal.
The Frenchman has just two top tens this season and was pleased to be back on a happy hunting ground.
"It's definitely one of my favourite courses," he said. "I had a great day. Good start on the first four holes, low scores, it's always good to start like that. My game was good and I holed some good putts today."
