England's Paul Waring and South African Hennie Otto inspired each other to claim a share of the clubhouse lead in the second round of the Portugal Masters in Vilamoura.
Playing in the same group, Waring and Otto recorded 14 birdies and one eagle between them to finish 12 under par at the Oceânico Victoria Golf Course, Waring returning a flawless 63 and Otto a 64.
Waring, who enjoyed the first top five finish of his European Tour career in the Open de España in April and has had three more top tens since, said: "I think the lovely weather's had a bit of a hand in it. I played nicely, kept control of my golf ball well, hit it close a few times and holed a few putts.
"I've been playing better for the last few months; I lost by one in Valencia, two in Gleneagles. I’ve been knocking on the door a few times so it's nice to keep myself in contention week on week."
Waring, playing on a medical exemption after an operation on a serious wrist injury, is currently 86th in The Race to Dubai and added: "If I can get into one of these big four events (of the inaugural Final Series) at the end of the season that would be great.
"I am not going to put too much pressure on myself. I've had a medical (exemption) all year so it's nice to get back into a proper category for next year."
Austria's Bernd Wiesberger completed a 65 to lie one shot off the lead on 11 under, with South African Justin Walters another shot back after a 63.
The 32 year old from Johannesburg is 126th on The Race To Dubai with only the top 110 after next week's ISPS Handa Perth International keeping their card for next season, but has had that situation put into perspective recently.
"We had a family crisis this year. Two weeks ago my mum passed away and with her she really took all the pressure," Walters said.
"I haven't really worried like I have as much and I think my game is in much better shape because of that. I am pretty calm out there and I thank her for that."
The best-placed of the afternoon starters were Scot Chris Doak and Ireland’s Simon Thornton, who reached 11 under with four and nine holes remaining respectively.
At 112th on The Race to Dubai Doak is right on the cutline for 2014 playing cards, and five birdie and an eagle at the long 12th aided his cause.
Saint Omer winner Thornton, part of the seven-way overnight leading group, turned in 31 after starting at the tenth.
