Bernhard Langer, captain of Europe's victorious Ryder Cup team two years ago at Oakland Hills, is threatening to cause a major shock in the United States.
The 49-year-old German, who turned professional in 1972, has not had a tournament win for four years.
However he moved to within two shots of the leaders at the halfway stage of the Valero Texas Open in San Antonio.
D.A. Points, shares the lead at nine under par with Eric Axley.
Points added a 66 to his opening 65, while Axley produced a dazzling seven-under-par round of 63 in his second round, after posting a 68 yesterday.
Paul Goydos also carded a 63 to be one shot behind on eight-under 132, with Langer one of five players in a share of fourth place on 133.
Langer's second round of 65 contained just one bogey, and it made him the leading European after England's Justin Rose wilted on day two at the Texas event.
Rose was the overnight leader after a 64, but he followed that with 71 to lose ground and was on five under.
German Alex Cejka, who also started with a 64, slumped to a 73, the same score as David Duval posted.
Former world number one Duval, whose career went into meltdown after victory at The Open in 2001 and only lately has shown signs of recovery, made the cut on level par having opened with a 67 on Thursday.
Last week's World Match Play Championship runner-up Shaun Micheel was also on level par, along with Sweden's Jesper Parnevik. PA
