Paul Casey surged into a share of the early second round lead with fellow Briton Miles Tunnicliff at the Canaries Spanish Open today.
The leading duo shot seven-under-par 65s to move to 15-under-par 129 and keep double major winner Jose Maria Olazabal at bay, two shots behind.
Olazabal carded a 67 to share third place with fellow Spaniard Santiago Luna, England's Simon Kahn and Ireland's Peter Lawrie.
The comparatively easy Golf Costa Adeje venue also played into the hands of of the Irish contingent who are all well placed to challenge over the weekend.
Lawrie improved on yesterday's 67 by three shots, apart from a solitary bogey at the seventh the Dubliner littered his card with 10 birdies and the rest pars.
Paul McGinley was a shot further back on 12 under after his second consecutive 66 while Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell reached 11 under after today's 68.
The final Irishman in the field, Gary Murphy, still has it all to do but finds himself on six under after as many holes. With the projected cut currently set at a record five under Murphy will need to continue with his progress.
Casey compiled eight birdies playing alongside Seve Ballesteros and is clearly finding his form with one thing on his mind.
"Everything I'm doing is aimed towards the Ryder Cup," said Casey. "Not only do I want to make the team but I want to play a big part. I don't want to sit out matches on the bench. I'd like to be the guy who can make points from every game.
"Last year my goals possibly weren't correct and I just knew I had to do better all round this year."
Tunnicliff came from Challenge Tour obscurity to clinch last year's Great North Open.
Olazabal, who has been trying to win his home open since 1985, felt that would make it even harder for him to win.
"It's going to be well packed at the top on the last day and the margin of error is going to be very small. Just one tiny mistake could prove costly."
Costa-del-Sol-based Tunnicliff, who came from Challenge Tour obscurity to clinch last year's Great North Open and establish himself on the main tour, cited familiar ground and new-found confidence for boosting his chances of a second European Tour title.
"The grasses are very similar to what I practise on in Marbella so maybe that has given me a little bit of an advantage but after a few weeks getting used to playing with the big guys I'm also comfortable with being in contention again," he said.
The Golf Costa Adeje course continued to be plundered by the field with the cut falling at six-under-par, the European Tour record lowest by a stroke.
The four-round record of 29-under-par set by Ernie Els in this year's Johnnie Walker Classic in Perth, Australia is now under threat.
Olazabal, who has been trying to win his home open since 1985, felt the course's susceptibility would make it even harder for him to win.
"It's going to be well packed at the top on the last day and the margin of error is going to be very small. Just one tiny mistake could prove costly."
Ballesteros, playing his 30th Spanish Open, impressed joint-leader Casey with his renowned short game but failed by a stroke to survive to the weekend, after finishing on 139.
"He's still got the touch," said Casey, "and his game looks close to being good."
Despite rounds of 69 and 67, defending champion Sergio Garcia lies seven strokes off the lead.
South African teenager Charl Schwartzel bounced back from a poor start to sit four shots off the new leaders. His co-first round leader, Marten Olander of Sweden, is three shots behind. -PA-