Richard Bland, needing two big finishes in the next two European Challenge Tour events to make the Grand Final in Cuba next month, has set about his task in positive style in Italy.
Two rounds into the San Paolo Vita Open, the Stoneham clubman is tied sixth at five under par.
Bland opened up with two-under-par 70 and improved by one stroke yesterday. England's Andrew Raitt led at nine under.
Marchwood-based Bland needs to move from his current 68th perch to the top 50 in the rankings to play in Cuba. Salisbury's Andy Beal is already guaranteed a place in the Grand Final at 32nd in the rankings.
He'll improve on that this week after going through the halfway cut at four under and in joint 11th place.
In the first round of the Cisco World Match Play championship at Wentworth there were wins for Padraig Harrington, Sergio Garcia and Retief Goosen with Darren Clarke and Nick Faldo in a morning playoff.
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