A sensational run of eight birdies in nine holes saw James Morrison surge to the top of the Aphrodite Hills Cyprus Showdown leaderboard on day two.
The 35-year-old from England came into the event having made seven cuts in his last eight events and converted some solid form into spectacular scoring on Friday morning.
After a par at the first, Morrison made back-to-back gains on the second and third. A par at the fourth was then followed by six straight gains before a bogey on the 16th ended any hopes of breaking 60.
The two-time European Tour winner, without a top-three finish since 2016, birdied the last from 15 feet for a 63.
Asked whether a 59 had been on his mind, Morrison said: “I was definitely thinking about it because it was a bit of a funny dynamic because things start from zero tomorrow. You end up trying to waft it round the last few holes thinking you've made it in to the weekend.
“I putted lovely, played really well last Sunday to finish 28th and didn't putt very well so the putting is never far away and today they were going in from everywhere it felt like.
“Everybody is trying to get over the line and finish top 32 but I don't care, I've been playing really well the last few months and feel like I'm really building the right momentum for next year so I don't care about that, I'm just so happy to shoot a good score on Friday and for the game to be feeling as good as it is.”
At 11 under Morrison was a shot clear of compatriot David Horsey and overnight leader Robert MacIntyre at the top of the leaderboard, and all but assured of being among the top 32 players who would have their scores reset before progressing to Saturday.
