Australia’s Brett Rumford produced a storming finish to his second round at the Volvo China Open on Friday to remain firmly on course for back-to-back victories on the European Tour.

Rumford birdied the final four holes at Binhai Lake Golf Club in Tianjin to card a 67 and set the clubhouse target of nine under par – one ahead of overnight leader Robert-Jan Derksen.

The 35-year-old from Perth won his first event since 2007 with an eagle on the first hole of a three-man play-off in the Ballantine’s Championship in Korea on Sunday and is keen to make the most of his return to top form.

“This is a new week and another tournament,” said Rumford, who started on the back nine and went to the turn in 35 before coming home in 32.

“I feel good, my fitness is good and my energy levels feel nice and high, so hopefully I can ride the wave over the weekend and keep the good feelings going.

“It’s a nice feeling when you’re holing putts and seeing your name up near the top of the leaderboard. You’ve got to make the most of these moments when they come along, and I’m managing to do that at the minute.”

Holland’s Derksen also produced a strong finish with three birdies in his last five holes to add a 70 to his opening 66 as he looks to end a run of 215 European Tour events without a win.

“I played pretty solid again today, just had two bad holes in the middle of my round,” said Derksen, whose last win came in the Madeira Island Open in 2005.

Spain’s Pablo Larrazabal carded a 66 to lie two shots behind Rumford on seven under, while defending champion Branden Grace – coincidentally the last man to win back-to-back events on tour in his native South Africa last year – was three under after a superb fightback.

Grace was five over par with five holes of his first round remaining, but birdied three of them to card a 74 and then stormed home in 30 on Friday to shoot a 67.