ENGLAND'S Mark Foster will head into the weekend at the KLM Open just a shot off the lead after firing an impressive second-round 66 at The Dutch.
The 41-year-old lost his playing privileges last season after spending 13 years inside the European Tour's top 110 and is battling to regain his card at 156th in the Race to Dubai.
The 300,000 points on offer for a win this week would move him comfortably back inside the top 100 but he will have to overcome a strong field if he is to lift the trophy in Spijk.
Austria's Bernd Wiesberger, a three-time winner on Tour, shot a second consecutive 66 to take the lead at 10 under and sit a shot ahead of Foster, Italy's Nino Bertasio and local favourite Joost Luiten.
"I am getting back to my best," said Foster. "I haven't had as many playing opportunities this year but when I can play I am enjoying it.
"I have been out here a long time and I am a lot more chilled out than I was in my prime. I certainly don't sit at home crying about not being able to play - and my wife wouldn't let me do that anyway!
"I love this tournament, though, so I am really looking forward to the weekend. There are some great names up there on the leaderboard so it's going to be a good weekend and hopefully I can stay near the top."
Foster needed to get up and down on the last to rescue his par after making birdies on the first, fourth, sixth, 12th and 15th.
Luiten delighted the home crowd with a 64 that was the low round of the week so far, while Bertasio held a share of the lead stood on the 18th tee but bogeyed the last in a 67.
English duo Tommy Fleetwood and Ben Evans were then in the group at eight under, a shot clear of countrymen Daniel Gavins, David Horsey and Simon Khan.
Chris Wood, preparing for his Ryder Cup debut at Hazeltine later in the month, followed his opening 72 with a 68 to sit eight shots off the lead.
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