The best round of Scot David Drysdale's best ever year on The European Tour was still not enough to dislodge Retief Goosen from the top of the leaderboard at the BMW International Open in Munich.
After ten trips to The European Tour Qualifying School Drysdale has secured his immediate future with a runners-up finish in Spain and a third place in South Africa - and he will play his first Major at The Open Championship in three weeks' time.
Six behind Goosen overnight the 34 year old had an eagle and six birdies for a 64 which matched the South African's first round effort.
However, Goosen added a 68 to reach 12 under and retain the two stroke lead he took into the second round.
"Starting last August my game has got better and better," commented Drysdale, whose eagle came courtesy of a three wood to 12 feet on the 555 yard 11th.
"I've been able to go out and play golf rather than think about making a cheque.
"I've been to Turnberry twice since I qualified. The first time it was flat calm and I thought it was easy, the second time it was blowing a hurricane and I thought it was impossible.
"I can't wait. I grew up playing links golf and it suits my eye."
He also acted as a marker for John Daly in the 1992 Open at Muirfield.
Goosen did not drop a stroke in his first 33 holes, but after bogeying the 441 yard seventh he finished with another birdie to double his advantage.
“The greens, especially the first nine, the greens were excellent to putt on,” he said.
“You're sort of a bit frustrated that you didn't take more advantage of the golf course this morning. But I'm happy where I am, I'm sure it will be close to leading on the end of the day and see what happens.”
Joint third on nine under midway through the day's play were England's Danny Willett, Thai Thongchai Jaidee and Thomas Levet of France.
Twenty year old Rory McIlroy, tenth in the US Open Championship on Monday, burst to seven under, but then bogeyed the seventh and eighth and so was again behind 51 year old playing partner Bernhard Langer. Trying to become the oldest winner of an title on the circuit, Langer was eight under along with James Kingston and Miguel Angel Jiménez.
