Peter Whiteford takes one-shot lead at Perth International

After going six-under-par for his opening round on Thursday, Whiteford repeated the feat to move firmly into contention for his first European Tour success.

The highlight of Whiteford's round came at the par-five 612-yard seventh, which he eagled for the second consecutive round as the 34-year-old opened up a one-shot advantage over Thorbjorn Olesen of Denmark.

Whiteford, who requires a top-two finish to keep his European Tour card for next season, said: "I played great and felt like I got what I deserved - it's not often you say that in golf.

"You're always thinking you could've done better, but that eagle made me feel a lot better.

"This week it's no holds barred - win or bust.
"I'm very nervous, there's no doubt about that. I've got to just keep attacking."

Olesen had held the overnight lead with home hope John Wade after they equalled the course-record of 64 at the Lake Karrinyup Country Club.

However, neither could replicate that performance on this occasion, Olesen going three under for the day while Wade could only card par as he fell to joint-sixth.

South Korea's Sihwan Kim is third at 10 under, while Englishman James Morrison set a new course record with a nine-under round of 63.

Morrison and Scot David Drysdale lie three off the lead in a tie for fourth, one ahead of Wade and fellow Australian Richard Green.

Charl Schwartzel, the 2011 Masters winner, is in the mix at seven under, one stroke ahead of rising French star Victor Dubuisson.

American Jason Dufner - returning after a neck injury - is four under with work to do if he is to compete for the title, but Edoardo Molinari's challenge is over, the Italian shooting four over for the day to finish two over for the tournament.