Retief Goosen put himself on course for a first European Tour victory for more than two years as he moved a shot clear at the Portugal Masters with a round to play in Vilamoura.
The 40 year old South African, who did not win a match in last week's Presidents Cup, fired a second successive 64 to move from three behind Italian Francesco Molinari to one in front.
That included pitching in for eagle at the second and chipping in for birdie at the 15th, just the sort of stuff International captain Greg Norman would have been hoping for against the Americans in San Francisco.
Goosen had three defeats and a half there and was even left out of one session, but now he is on course for a first prize of Euros500,000 at Oceânico Victoria Golf Course.
He is also the first man in Europe this season to reach 20 under after 54 holes.
"Obviously since last year my golf has started getting a little bit better," said Goosen. "Last year has been a little more consistent, I'm putting better. So it's really nice to get another good round in tomorrow and see if I can pull it off."
Molinari was content with his 68 despite being knocked off the top of the leaderboard.
"It was another good day," he said. "I didn't putt so well. I lost a bit of touch today so I need to do some work now to get it back, but still, one shot back, it's not going to be easy with Goosen in front, but I'll do my best and I'll try to make something tomorrow."
Lee Westwood lies third on 17 under after a two birdie finish gave him a 66, and second place will almost certainly be good enough to take him top of The Race to Dubai.
Rory McIlroy, who took over the number one spot at St Andrews less than two weeks ago, is down in 53rd place and admits he is powerless to prevent his stablemate going above him.
But Westwood mimicked Seve Ballesteros when he said: "Second eez is no good.
"That's what Billy (his caddie Billy Foster) keeps telling me. It's what Seve always said to him when they were together. I'm not even thinking about the money list. I'm just trying to win the Portugal Masters, and that's hard enough."
Westwood has gone over two years without a victory anywhere - Goosen has tasted success in Asia, Africa and America in the last 12 months - and in that time, of course, has twice come desperately close to capturing his first Major title.
"I've just got to get a few breaks," the Englishman added. "To birdie the last two feels pretty good. A 68 would have felt a poor score."
He two putted the long 17th and then hit his approach over the water to seven feet on the last.
"Billy thought it was a little nine iron, but I had the confidence to hit a hard wedge. That was the only way to get close - it was a sucker flag and I was a sucker and went for it."
Goosen, out-scoring playing partner Padraig Harrington by seven, had already birdied the first when he sank his approach to the next.
He was already seven under for the day when he two putted the 547 yard 12th - Harrington was in the lake there - but found water himself off the 14th tee and dropped his only shot.
Chipping in on the next was a real bonus and he added another birdie at the 17th.
"Last week was very disappointing for me, but the last two days have obviously been great," said Goosen.
"On Sunday (in a singles clash with Phil Mickelson which he lost on the 17th) I hit the ball very nicely, but made only one putt."
Harrington's 71 dropped him from third to ninth and he now has six shots to make up.
Goosen's 64 was matched by Oliver Wilson as he moved from 29th to tied fifth, but with a five stroke deficit a tenth second place might be on the cards for the Ryder Cup star.
Wilson has still to taste victory and with his father awaiting tests for the bladder cancer diagnosed earlier this year, he said: "There is only one person in the world who wants me to win more than me and that's him."
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