Charl Schwartzel hopes The 142nd Open Championship will not become a lottery at a fiery Muirfield - but he will have no complaints if he has the winning ticket.
The South African added a 68 to his opening 75 to get back into contention for a second Major title.
At one over par the 2011 Masters Tournament champion was just three off the clubhouse lead held by playing partner Lee Westwood, World Number One Tiger Woods and Sweden's Henrik Stenson.
Schwartzel revealed he hit several drives of more than 400 yards and a six iron 280 yards as he carded four birdies and just one bogey, but it was a change of equipment which made the biggest difference.
"I changed the putter and it really gave me some confidence," the South African added.
"It's the same (style of) putter but with one of those long grips, a bit more weight. And it made quite a bit of a difference."
On his chances this weekend he added: “When it gets this crusty and you're working on balls bouncing....with six irons going at 280 yards, but they're bouncing at 210. How do you judge that? It becomes a bit of a lottery.
"You don't know what's going to happen and you need to be able to play like we played this morning. That way, you can still control your golf ball and quality shots get rewarded. (But) if I win, I'll be kissing this golf course."
