England's Marcus Higley broke the Kennemer course record with a second round 63 at the KLM Open in the Netherlands but it was not enough to take the clubhouse lead as Oskar Henningsson continued his good form.
The 34 year old Higley moved from seven off the lead to just one stroke behind Swede Henningsson, who won his maiden event in the Czech Republic three weeks ago after winning Qualifying School in November.
“I haven't practised or played much since the Czech Republic, but my win there has given me so much confidence,” he said. “I'm just really enjoying myself out on the course at the moment.”
Higley has made 12 trips of his own to The European Tour Qualifying School without success, but has twice come through the Challenge Tour and was runner-up in the Saint Omer Open two years ago.
He also had a fourth place finish in Sweden last month and after his seven birdie display said: "I'm chuffed.
"I've been working a lot on the mental aspect and for about 58 of those shots I actually did it. It's been tough this year to get into events and that's been very frustrating, but it's your own fault. Play better and you get into more."
His mental work has been done with his partner Elizabeth, who is in the fourth year of an Open University course in psychology.
"I've not been the most positive person - I always tend to look on the downside," he admitted. "But I'm slowly starting to believe in myself more."
Henningsson is making it a real month to remember as he set the pace on seven under with a 66 containing an eagle, four birdies and two bogeys.
Former Open Championship winner Paul Lawrie raised hopes of his first win for seven years when he joined Higley, Australian Terry Pilkadaris, Norway’s Eirik Tage Johansen and Wales' Jamie Donaldson in the clubhouse on six under.
Higley's fellow Englishman Simon Dyson, winner of the title three years ago, was on the same mark.
Out on the course Ireland’s Peter Lawrie got off to a flyer to reach eight under through eight holes, the Dubliner birdieing his first three holes.
Bradley Dredge and Peter Hedblom also made good progress to reach seven under after seven and five holes respectively.
