Keith Nolan still has a long road to travel, but the 26-year-old Irishman - who fired a stunning 63 to claim the first round lead - added a level par 70 yesterday to share third place after two rounds of the US Tour final qualifying school at the Doral Resort in Florida.

Nolan, who led by two shots after the first day, had a level par 70 on the Silver Course yesterday to consolidate his position. But Cameron Beckman, who finished eighth in last year's qualifying school and whose best finish on the 1999 US Tour was a tie for 13th at the Buick Challenge, had a 68 on the Gold course to jump into a share of the lead alongside Craig Bowden.

The lone Irishman in the school shared third place with KJ Choi and Bobby Cochran after two rounds while Gary Nicklaus, son of legendary player Jack, was among a number of players a shot further back in a share of sixth.