Paul Dunne fired five birdies in a welcomed return to form as he coasted into the weekend at the 100th anniversary edition of the KLM Open in Amsterdam.
The Greystones professional has endured a forgettable summer but ahead of the business end of the European Tour season, Dunne moved into a tie for 34th after returning a three-under par 69 to jump to four-under par in a much-improved Autumnal showing.
Dunne heads a three-strong Irish challenge going into moving day after Gavin Moynihan added a 71 to his opening 70 to be sitting just outside the top-40 at minus-three.
European Ryder Cup Captain, Padraig Harrington is also safely through too after posting a second successive 71 for a two-under total.
Although Michael Hoey improved on his opening 75 with a second round 73, he fell six shots shy of the weekend cut.
At the top, Scott Jamieson carded a stunning 65 to top a congested leaderboard at the halfway mark in Holland.
Jamieson has not been in the winner’s circle since claiming his only European Tour title at the Nelson Mandela Championship presented by ISPS HANDA in 2013, but the Scot has been in fine form this season.
The 35-year-old has registered five top 15 finishes, including a tie for third at the Alfred Dunhill Championship in December and will be in contention for his second title after moving to 11 under par at The International.
“It was a great day,” said Jamieson. “I was really good with my irons yesterday but wasn’t so good off the tee, and today I was better off the tee and equally as good with my irons, so it was a great day.
“I think compared to my peers I am certainly not as good of a ball striker as I should be, or you know some of the best guys out here, so that is always something I am striving to improve and I feel like in the last month or so, it has become a little bit better so hopefully we are on to something.
“I was out kind of late for my wave so I had a good bit of wind also, and it certainly changes it and makes it a lot tougher if you get a cross wind on some of the narrow greens. You just need to pick the right shot and execute it. I don’t think it is a course you can overpower so hopefully I can think my way around it.”
While Jamieson has one European Tour crown to his name, Major Champion Sergio Garcia is in pursuit of number 16 in the Netherlands and the Spaniard carded a five under par 67 to sit alongside English trio James Morrison, Callum Shinkwin and Matthew Southgate in a tie for second at nine under.
Another Englishman Sam Horsfield mixed eight birdies, five bogeys and five pars in his roller coaster 69 to reach eight under alongside 18-year-old Dane Nicolai Højgaard. Former KLM Open winner Thomas Pieters led a group of nine players one shot further back at seven under.
Full scoring HERE
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