A second-round 65 from Brett Rumford allowed the Australian to take a share of the lead at the Perth International.
Rumford — a 38-year-old from Perth — sits alongside Peter Uihlein on 18 under par going into the weekend as he chases a sixth victory on the European Tour.
It is a welcome return to the head of a leaderboard for Rumford, who spent large parts of the 2015 season off the course owing to health issues.
“It was one of those days where you had to keep grinding,” he told the European Tour’s official website.
“Concentration had to be at a premium and that’s the kind of pressure this golf course puts on you.
“My concentration waned a little bit coming home but I made some nice up-and-downs and made some nice putts from long range as well, so all in all I was really happy.”
Meanwhile Paul Dunne will not be playing this weekend after a second round of 72 saw him miss the level par cut mark by a single stroke.
Cormac Sharvin, who was the pick of the Irish contingent on the opening day when he shot a 68 to sit four under par, struggled in his second round and slipped back to one under par.
The former Walker Cup player got off to a terrible start on Friday, bogeying his opening four holes, but rallied somewhat to sign for a 75.
South African Louis Oosthuizen sits in third on the leaderboard after a brilliant 64 left him a shot adrift of the leading pair.
The next two slots belong to Australians, with Rhein Gibson in fourth on nine under and Jason Scrivener fifth on eight under.
Alexander Levy is the leading European player in the field, sitting sixth on seven under, four behind the leaders.
For his part, co-leader Uihlein, who sat alone as the frontrunner in the clubhouse until Rumford finished his round, wants to make the most of his position.
“It’s always good finishing like that,” he said.
“I’m pleased with my two days’ work and hopefully I can keep it going Saturday and Sunday.”
