Des Smyth produced his best performance of the season yesterday to shoot a four-under-par 68 in the £55,000 Quinn Life charity trophy and grab the half-way lead.

The season so far has been a nightmare for Smyth, but yesterday's show has given him a great heart for tackling the Volvo PGA championship, which tees off at Wentworth on Friday.

"I have had my worst start ever on the European Tour and I am so far down the order of merit that I really don't know where I am," Smyth said, who is in his 26th season on tour. "I need to do something special to hold on to my card. I have never lost it and I don't want to do that this season either."

The Drogheda man played the back nine first and turned in two under par after birdie fours at the 13th and 15th. He got down from 12 feet at the 13th and steered a seven-iron to four feet at 15.

The only blot on Smyth's card was a three putt on the fifth, but then he put in a storming finish to wrap it up with three birdies in his last four holes.

"I always play well here but strangely have never won this tournament, although I won the Irish championship in 1996. I hope to keep this form up tomorrow because a win here would give me great confidence going to Wentworth," he said.

Smyth is one stroke ahead of Slade Valley club professional John Dignam and Geoff Loughrey from Knockbracken. Dignam was the early place setter after making three birdies in a credible round with just one bogey.

Seven players broke par, with Bangor professional Michael Bannon and Wayne Westner from South Africa biting at the heels of the leaders on 70.