Tom McKibbin birdied two of his last three holes to move to within six shots of Matthew Fitzpatrick at the halfway stage of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
A fine five-under 67 around the Old Course lifted McKibbin to seven-under and into a share of 16th place heading into the weekend.
Pádraig Harrington also made a significant move at Kingsbarns after a four-under 68 saw him climb to three-under-par, ten shy of Fitzpatrick who will take a one-shot lead into the weekend after birdieing four of his last five holes on day two at Kingsbarns.
Just five days after helping Europe regain the Ryder Cup in Italy, the Englishman was on top again as he followed a 67 on day one at Carnoustie with a 64 to get to 13 under in Scotland.
Spaniard Nacho Elvira and home favourite Grant Forrest were his nearest challengers, two shots clear of English duo Marcus Armitage and Matthew Southgate.
Playing together, Elvira and Forrest carded rounds of 66 and 67 respectively over the Old Course at St Andrews, while Armitage signed for a 68 at the Home of Golf, a score matched by Southgate at Kingsbarns.
After the exertions of last week at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club and over courses which he has previously said do not suit him, Fitzpatrick could have perhaps been forgiven for not being at his best this week.
But he carded nine birdies and a single bogey just a week after claiming his first Ryder Cup point in his third appearance to put himself in pole position for DP World Tour win number nine.
In the team event, Fitzpatrick was playing alongside mum Susan who, despite playing with a brace on her leg, contributed four birdies and an eagle to a score of 58 as the pair moved into second on 22 under, a shot behind Julien Guerrier and Stephane Connery.
“I felt like we really enjoyed it out there,” said Fitzpatrick, who will now play the weekend at St Andrews. “We both like the golf course, Kingsbarns. Very relaxed atmosphere. Compared to Carnoustie, you can kind of coast a little bit more.
“Of the three, I do like Kingsbarns. I just think that’s the most enjoyable with the views, the hole designs. I like that one most. That’s the only one I felt any affinity to.
“I think I said it last year, I just want to make the cut with mum and do well for the team and you never know what can happen.”
Defending champion Ryan Fox, American Billy Horschel, Frenchman Matthieu Pavon and Finn Sami Välimäki were then at nine under.
Meanwhile, Mark Power (-2) endured a mixed day as he carded a 72 around Carnoustie, a respectable score around the tougher of the three courses and he will hope Kingsbarns can yield the birdies he needs to climb away from the cut mark on Saturday.
Kinsale’s John Murphy is two shots further back on level-par after a closing double bogey in Kingsbarns gave him a second round 73 and he will have work to do at the Old Course to make the cut for Sunday.
Scoring HERE
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