A second straight 69 gave Marcus Fraser a one shot lead at the halfway stage of the Emirates Australian Open at The Lakes.
The two-time European Tour winner, who was three over par after ten holes of his opening round before four straight birdies and a hole in one at the short 15th, carded five birdies and two bogeys in a more sedate second round.
At six under par the 34 year old leads his national Open by one from compatriot Brendan Jones , who was round in 71, and overnight leader John Senden.
It was a rollercoaster round for Senden who posted five bogeys and four birdies in the worst of the testing afternoon conditions en route to a disappointing one over 73.
It was also an excellent day for veteran Tom Watson after the American carded a classy four under 68 to make the cut by a solitary stroke.
South Australia's Nick Cullen is in outright fourth at four under after carding a solid 70 in the afternoon.
He sits one clear of a group of six golfers that includes Steven Jones (68) and Englishman Justin Rose, who matched Senden's 73.
Rose, who began the day two shots behind the overnight leader, started well with four birdies on the front nine to momentarily hold the outright lead at seven under.
But the World Number Four carded four bogeys in six holes on the way in to finish the day at three under for the championship.
Pre-tournament favourite Adam Scott battled his swing and the conditions to post a one under 71 and remain within striking distance at one under.
The World Number Seven avoided disaster on the par five 11th, producing arguably the shot of the day to save par after dunking his second shot in the water.
Scott knocked his fourth shot from 175 yards to five feet and drained the putt.
While the afternoon groups found the going tough, eight-time Major Champion Watson bounced back after an opening 78 on Thursday.
The 63 year old began his second round on the back nine, making four birdies in six holes to turn in a four under 33.
His only blemish of the day came at the par four third but the American dug deep to produce a crucial birdie at the par five eighth to get to two over alongside defending champion Greg Chalmers (75).
