European Tour rookies Gary Boyd and Julien Guerrier were the men to catch midway through the second round of the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles.
English Challenge Tour graduate Boyd shot a bogey free 68 to move to nine under par, and was joined on that mark in the clubhouse by France's Guerrier, who took the penultimate card at last November's Qualifying School.
The 25 year old's round was a complete contrast to his playing partner's blemish-free effort, with seven birdies mixed with two dropped shots in a 67.
“I'm very okay with that,” said Guerrier. “I had a good start. I think the patience, it's the key of the golf.“
The highlight of Boyd’s day came when he eagled the par five 16th for the second time this week.
“It was scrappy a little bit but I managed to try to keep myself in it kind of around the turn, hit a few loose tee shots, but managed to keep the ball back in play and keep the round going,” he said.
Two behind on seven under were Scot Stephen Gallacher, England's Mark Foster and South African George Coetzee, who had two holes left to play.
Francesco Molinari celebrated confirmation of his Ryder Cup debut with a two under 70 that left him level with one of his Vice Captains at The Celtic Manor Resort - Paul McGinley - on six under.
Overnight leader Richard Finch dropped a shot at the first to slip back to five under, alongside compatriots Richard Bland and Robert Rock and Swede Peter Hanson - all of whom were among the afternoon starters hoping to mount a challenge.
Two players need a win this week to try and secure a place on Colin Montgomerie's European Team and Simon Dyson was level for the day and four under for the week through two, while big-hitting Alvaro Quiros was one under on his round and for the tournament at the same stage.
“I'm very okay with that,” said Guerrier. “I had a good start. I think the patience, it's the key of the golf.“
The highlight of Boyd’s day came when he eagled the par five 16th for the second time this week.
“It was scrappy a little bit but I managed to try to keep myself in it kind of around the turn, hit a few loose tee shots, but managed to keep the ball back in play and keep the round going,” he said.
