Shane Lowry has swept impressively into the lead at the British Open at Royal Troon, halfway to a repeat of his emotional 2019 triumph at Royal Portrush.
Yet while his nearest challengers are the English pair of surprise packet Dan Brown and former US Open champ Justin Rose, it is the ominous sight of world No.1 Scottie Scheffler moving into joint fourth-place on Friday that may preoccupy the popular Irishman just as much.
Lowry, who had to survive a mid-round double bogey "disaster" before getting back on track quite brilliantly, rolled in a 20-foot birdie putt on the 18th to complete a two-under par 69 and finish on seven under.
On a day when the afternoon's second wave had the worst of the gusting winds, overnight leader Brown hung in with his 72 while Rose, outstanding in the tricky conditions, was all smiles after sinking a 40-footer for birdie at the last hole to record a 68.
But two-time Masters champ Scheffler is threatening, just five off the pace at two under alongside his fellow American Billy Horschel (68) and South African Dean Burmester (69), despite a bogey at the last rather spoiling his momentum.
"It was pretty good, it was tough out there," beamed the 37-year-old Lowry. "The wind wasn't quite as strong as yesterday but it was still tricky.
"The 11th was a bit of a disaster - but I handled that well and managed to finish nicely."
On that 11th, the notorious 'Railway' hole, Lowry pulled his second shot into the gorse, took a penalty drop and hit his fourth on to the green, only for his original ball to be found by a spectator.
That meant it was still in play and, after a long delay while it was determined where he could best take a drop, Lowry hit his approach just short of the green and eventually completed a double-bogey six.
Yet he quickly shrugged that off and made birdie at the 16th before his majestic finish on the last hole.
"To be honest, I was happy enough leaving there with a six," said Lowry. "It wasn't a disaster. I have felt quite calm and composed the last couple of days. I've felt really in my comfort zone.
"Anything that's thrown at me, I feel like I'm ready to take it on the chin and move on. If I give myself a chance on Sunday I know I can do it - and that's as good as a position to be in as any."
Scheffler, a six-time PGA Tour winner this year, was frustrated when his drive at 18 bounded on into a fairway bunker, but was still confident about making a weekend push, as he lies a shot ahead of a group featuring Australian Jason Day (68), PGA champ Xander Schauffele (72), Patrick Cantlay (68) and Corey Connors (70).
Tiger Woods bowed out with another disappointing round of 77 following his 79 on Thursday, but rather more shocking was Rory McIlroy's departure as he went out in 42 and eventually bowed out on 11 over following a 75.
The biggest surprise may have been Englishman Brown flourishing again after his dream Thursday.
"I'm not going to start getting ahead of myself and thinking, 'Oh my God, I'm leading the Open' or 'I'm second in the Open' or whatever," smiled the 29-year-old Yorkshireman.
"There's still 36 holes left. I might have a good round tomorrow - and then I might have a stinky round on Sunday. You just don't know."
