Argentine golfer Emiliano Grillo is enjoying a dream run at the Perth International at Lake Karrinyup, but 2011 US Masters winner Charl Schwartzel is in danger of missing the cut.
Grillo sits at 11-under-par after 13 holes in his second round, giving him a two-shot buffer over Kiwi Michael Hendry, who has played eight holes.
American world No.24 Bo van Pelt sits in third place at seven-under after shooting a 67 on Friday, with England’s Andrew Johnston and Jason Scrivener also within four of the leader.
But while plenty of players made their move, former world No.3 Paul Casey endured a forgettable day, while Schwartzel is also having a shocker.
Schwartzel shot an uninspiring one-under 71 on Thursday, and dropped four shots in eight holes during his second round on Friday to be three-over for the tournament.
As it stands, the projected cut is two-over.
Casey started Friday in a tie for fourth at five-under-par, and took a share of the lead early after a solid start to his round.
But after dropping five strokes in a horror six-hole stretch, Casey finished at three-over for the second round, bringing his overall score to two-under.
Van Pelt was solid without being spectacular in his two-under 70 on Thursday, but displayed far more polish in his second round.
“I was five back going into today and, whenever you’re that far back, you try to shrink it going into the weekend,” van Pelt said.
“So hopefully, I’ll be closer than five back when the day’s end and hopefully after tomorrow do the same thing – get a little bit closer.
“You try to have a chance to win with nine holes to go on Sunday.
“That’s something my caddie and I always talk about is just trying to give ourselves a chance on Sunday, and then you just never know what will happen.
“But I feel good about what I’m trying to do in my golf swing, and the putter feels pretty good.
“So just going to try to come out here tomorrow and do the same thing.”