Ireland's Peter Lawrie picked up where he left of yesterday to find himself hot on the heels of the leader on the second day of the South African Airways Open today.
Lawrie, 28, moved into a share of second on seven-under, three shots behind the defending champion Tim Clark who shot a second consecutive 67 to lead the way in Cape Town on 10-under 134.
The South African was in blistering form, carding four birdies on the front nine before upping the tempo with an eagle at the par five 13th. His momentum was halted briefly with a bogey at the next par five, 16th, his only blemish of the day.
Lawrie teed off from the 10th, following yesterday's 68, and reached the turn in one-under 35 before adding two further birdies to his tally at the second and third for today's 69. The Dubliner was joined by Scotland's Andrew Coltart who matched Lawrie's opening scores.
Kilkenny's Gary Murphy also played himself into contention with a 68 to get within five shots of the lead on five-under. The 30-year-old, who finished fifth at the Qualifying School at the end of last season, made most progress on the back nine with a run of four birdies in six holes.
Elsewhere the news was less encouraging for the Irish contingent. Graeme McDowell (71) and Cork amateur Padraig Dooley (76) have an anxious wait to see if their two-over 146 halfway aggregates will be good enough to make the cut. At present they are, but only just.
Gavin McNeill (75) and Ciaran McMonagle (70) already know their fate this week because at eight and 13-over respectively both will have the weekend free to practice.
Limerick's Tim Rice picked up a shot to be on the cut mark at two-over after 12 holes.