Seeking a breakthrough PGA Tour win, Aussie Greg Chalmers birdied five of his last eight holes to take a two-point lead after two rounds of the Barracuda Championship, the tour's only modified Stableford scoring event.
The 42-year-old, who has only conditional tour status, had a 10-point round to reach 24 points at Montreux in the scoring system that awards eight points for double eagle, five points for an eagle, two points for a birdie and deducts a point for a bogey and three points for a double bogey or worse.
"I played OK," Chalmers said.
"It wasn't as good as yesterday ball-striking-wise, but then I ran in a lot of really nice putts.
"I stayed out of trouble on the holes I needed to and picked up some really good birdies where I needed to."
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Chalmers has made just six starts this season on the PGA Tour, tying for 58th in the first in China in November and missing the cut in the past five. The two-time Australian Open and Australian PGA champion also has played in nine events on the secondary Web.com Tour.
First-round leader Martin Laird of Scotland bogeyed three of his last six holes - finishing with a three-putt on the par-4 ninth - to drop into a tie for second with 2013 winner Gary Woodland.
Chalmers, Laird and most of the players are fighting for a spot in the British Open in two weeks at Royal Troon in Scotland.
"Obviously, it would be great," Laird said.
"It's always nice for me to go back to Scotland. The Open's my favourite golf tournament in the year. .. But it's not really on my mind right now. I'm just trying to play good golf and keep firing away at flags and, hopefully, make some birdies."
Woodland was one of five players already in the Open to advance to the weekend.
Colt Knost was fourth at 21 after an eight-point round, while Australian Rhein Gibson was in sixth on eight points after an 11-point round.
Camilo Villegas, tied for second with 14 points Thursday, lost seven points with two double bogeys and a bogey to make the cut on the number.
Jon Rahm and Australia's 2014 winner Geoff Ogilvy also had seven points.
