John Daly shot five birdies and an eagle in his second round to move to 6 under and challenge the leaders at the Sicilian Open on Friday.
With afternoon winds blowing in off the Mediterranean, the 46-year-old Daly managed the conditions to post a 5-under 67.
''The last eleven holes were very, very difficult.'' Daly said. ''The winds just got stronger and stronger and you never want to say pars are a good score, but today pars were a good score.''
Daly is two shots off the lead shared by six players including first-round leader Peter Lawrie, who followed an opening 64 with a level-par 72.
''My putter went cold, it was as simple as that.'' Lawrie said. ''The greens were difficult to read but I missed three 5-footers in a row which was tough to take after yesterday.''
Lawrie was joined at 8 under by Jamie Donaldson (71), David Lynn (69), Pelle Edberg (66), Maarten Lafeber (68) and Simon Wakefield (67).
With the cut at 3-under, a European Tour record was equaled for the smallest number of shots between the cut mark and the leading score.
The last time the gap was five was the 2004 Qatar Masters.
Home favorite Matteo Manassero failed in his attempts to make it into the weekend, shooting an even par 72.
Defending champion Raphael Jacquelin (73) also missed the cut but American Rich Beem, playing in Europe because he has lost his card on the PGA Tour, shot his second 69 to move alongside Daly at 6 under.
