Wicklow man Paul Dunne is one shot off the lead after day two of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in his first tournament as a professional.
Dunne carded a 70 at St Andrews, the course where led the Open Championship after 54 holes, to lie one shot behind former Walker Cup team-mate Jimmy Mullen.
Mullen and Dunne were joint leaders after the first day of action, but Mullen's round of 69 sees him go one shot ahead of Dunne, Jamie Donaldson, Thorbjorn Olesen and Chris Stroud.
Having played at St Andrews and Carnoustie before as an amateur, Dunne admitted the pro-am tri-course event is the ideal way to begin his professional career.
"There's a comfort level of playing on links courses and once you get out there it does not matter if you are an amateur or a pro," the 22-year-old from Greystones said. "There is still a golf ball sitting in front of you that needs to be hit.
"I'm really not thinking about the money. The money will take care of itself. If I keep playing good golf I won't have to worry about money. It would be nice to get a payday at the end of the week, but we won't find that out until Sunday evening."
Graeme McDowell is tied for 13th, four shots off the lead, after shooting a round of 69 at Kingsbarns, with Darren Clarke a further two shots behind after shooting four under.
Peter Lawrie finished his round at St Andrew's one over par to sit on -4, while Damien McGrane is a shot back after finishing one under at the Old Course.
Shane Lowry and Kevin Phelan are both one under par after today's action at Kingsbarns and St Andrews respectively.
Padraig Harrington has recovered from his three-over-par 75 at Carnoustie on Thursday to sit level after a -3 at Kingsbarns.
Gary Hurley got around Carnoustie in 72 shots to remain one over, while Paul McGinley's round of 73 at Kingsbarns sees him tied for 141st position on four over.
The lowest rounds of the day came at Kingsbarns, with Bradley Dredge and Kiradech Aphibarnrat both shooting 63 to finish eight and six under respectively.
Defending champion Oliver Wilson, who was 792nd in the world when he won his first European Tour title 12 months ago, could only card a second consecutive 74 to lie four over par.
The lowest rounds of the day came at Kingsbarns, with Bradley Dredge and Kiradech Aphibarnrat both shooting 63 to finish eight and six under respectively.
