Tom McKibbin was six-under-par for 27 holes as he completed a marathon second day at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters on a sweltering day in Doha.
Round one was suspended overnight due to lightning with McKibbin languishing on two-over after nine holes but he birdied three of his last five holes to card an opening 71.
The 20-year-old continued his blistering run on Friday morning as birdies on the tenth, fourteenth and a chip in eagle on the par-4 16th saw him roar to five-under after nine holes of his second round and just three off the lead.
A second chip in birdie of the day came on the par-4 5th but that was sandwiched by two bogeys as he lost some ground on the leaders, falling six shots back of South African veteran Thomas Aiken on four-under after a 69.
Three-time DP World Tour winner Aiken came into the week 161st on the Race to Dubai Rankings in Partnership with Rolex, knowing a huge week was needed to retain his playing privileges.
And the 40-year-old rose to the challenge on Friday, giving himself a brilliant opportunity to secure the strong finish he requires over the weekend after following up a 69 with a 65 at Doha Golf Club.
Starting the day on one over par after only completing five holes of his first round on Thursday, the South African carded five birdies and one bogey in the morning to sign for an opening 69.
He then returned to the course to begin round two, adding eight birdies and one bogey in a stunning 65 to reach ten under par.
Joining him on that mark overnight were Daniel Hillier and Santiago Tarrio, who must return to complete their second rounds on Saturday morning.
New Zealand’s Hillier made three birdies in the first 11 holes of his round before play was suspended due to fading light at 16.58 local time, and will have a birdie putt to come when he resumes at the 12th early on Saturday.
Spaniard Tarrio, who made four birdies and no bogeys before having to leave the course, has six holes left to play.
Scots Robert MacIntyre and Ewen Ferguson – the defending champion – were a shot further back after nine holes of their second rounds, alongside Edoardo Molinari, who has seven holes remaining.
After opening his second round with back-to-back birdies, Aiken made another from 15 feet on the fifth before dropping a shot at the short eighth.
He then enjoyed a flawless back nine, birdieing the tenth, 13th, 14th, 16th and 18th to reach double figures.
Aiken said: “I played really solid today. We had 31 holes to play, so it was a long day. Early wake-up call.
“It’s a course that I like, I’ve always played well here in the past. Unfortunately with the rain yesterday it got a little wet, normally it plays firm and fast, which is what I like.
“Hopefully it dries up over the weekend and starts playing more like that. But I played really solid. It’s tough competing against these youngsters these days – they hit it so far.
“It’s getting a little tougher to play in your forties, but I still feel like I can win out here. I just need the right golf course.
“Unfortunately I haven’t been able to pick and choose my courses this year. I’ve played a lot of courses I would normally not play, but this is definitely one where I’ve always done well in the past. It’s proving evident, so hopefully the form continues over the next two rounds.”
Meanwhile John Murphy’s DP World Tour season is over after he missed the cut on ten-over bringing a nightmarish year to an end.
The Kinsale man will bid to regain his playing privileges at Q-School next month.
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