Little-known Swedish golfer Peter Hedblom has taken the lead at the $2 million Perth International, but England’s Paul Casey faces a nervous wait just to see if he makes the cut.

Casey shot a one-under-par 71 on Friday to leave him at three-over for the tournament.

Given the projected cut sits at two-over, Casey is in grave danger of missing the weekend’s action.

South African star Branden Grace is at two-over but should sneak through.

World No.21 Dustin Johnson dropped two shots on Friday to be seven off the pace with two holes remaining.

World No.830 Hedblom, who has five holes to play in his second round, is the outright leader at eight-under, while England’s Ross Fisher is three strokes further behind after carding a five-under 67 on day two.

Seven players sit at four-under, including defending champion Bo van Pelt, first-round leader Jin Jeong and West Australian Nick O’Hern.

Fisher was a little tired after being woken by his alarm at 4.35am (WST) in preparation for his 6.40am tee off.

The lack of sleep didn’t seem to affect him on the course, with a 20-metre chip-in from the bunker on the par-3 eighth the highlight of his day.

“It was a decent lie but it was coming down the green and downhill, so I knew it was going to be pretty quick,” Fisher said.

“But it was one of those ones where, as soon as I struck it, I knew it was pretty decent.

“I thought I played really nicely but I just couldn’t buy a putt.

“I’m still getting used to the greens.

“Obviously, they are a lot quicker than what myself and all the Europeans are used to.”

Australian Clint Rice briefly held the lead at six-under before bogeying his final two holes to finish at four-under.

Fellow opening-round leader James Nitties is three-under after producing a round of 73.