Nino Bertasio is looking to put the icing on the cake of an excellent rookie European Tour season as he heads into the weekend just one shot off the lead at the KLM Open.
The Italian graduated from the Qualifying School last year and has two top tens so far this season to sit a comfortable 89th in the Race to Dubai. The 28 year old also represented his country at the Olympic Men's Golf Competition - finishing in a tie for 30th - and is now looking for a positive end to the campaign.
Birdies on the 16th and 17th on Friday at The Dutch had Bertasio sharing the lead with Bernd Wiesberger but he dropped a shot on the last to sign for a 67 that contained a further five birdies and two bogeys.
"It has been a great year for me with going to the Olympics and keeping my Tour card so now I have to reset my goals and try to finish as high as I can on the Race to Dubai," he said.
"I am just looking forward to tomorrow and trying to get out there and make as many birdies as I can.
"It was a good day's work again. I played solid tee to green and I played fantastic on the par threes - I made three birdies from three feet on the par threes which is very difficult to do on this golf course so I am very pleased and looking forward to getting going at the weekend."
England's Mark Foster is also at nine under as he looks to regain the card he lost last season after 13 years in the top 110 on the Order of Merit. The 41 year old is currently 156th in the standings but is relaxed about what the future may bring.
"I am getting back to my best," he said. "I haven't had as many playing opportunities this year but when I can play I am enjoying it. I have been out here a long time and I am a lot more chilled out than I was in my prime. I certainly don't sit at home crying about not being able to play - and my wife wouldn't let me do that anyway!
I have to reset my goals and try to finish as high as I can on the Race to Dubai - Nino Bertasio
"I love this tournament, though, so I am really looking forward to the weekend. There are some great names up there on the leaderboard so it's going to be a good weekend and hopefully I can stay near the top."
Australian Scott Hend was in the group at seven under and he was pleased to be challenging again after losing out in a play-off at last week's Omega European Masters.
"It's always nice to be in with a chance going into the weekend so I am very happy with where I am," he said.
"I am staying patient and trying to figure out what is a brand new golf course for everyone. The course is drying out a little and I am just learning as I go along and getting used to it."
