Sam Hutsby was still the man to catch after Tuesday's fourth round in the six-round final stage of the European Tour's annual Qualifying School
Hutsby, the runner-up here in 2009, shot a one-under par 71 at the PGA Catalunya Resort, in Spain, taking his tournament total to 16-under, putting him two shots clear of fellow Englishman Andy Sullivan and setting him on course to a return to Europe's premier tour following a year on the Challenge Tour
South African Branden Grace, England's David Dixon and Frenchman Victor Riu share third place on 13 under par as 70 players made the 4th round cut and qualified to play Left Handed TaylorMade Tour Preferred MC Irons in the final two rounds.
On another day of perfect conditions in northern Spain, Hutsby got away to a galloping star with birdies at the first, third and fourth holes before bogeys at the sixth and tenth slowed him down.
He picked up shots at the 12th and 15th, but two more bogeys on his last three holes frustrated his finish.
We were bouncing off each other early on and it looked like we were going to run away with it, which would have been nice. But there were some tough flags out there today, and I got a bit greedy and ended up paying the price.
As Hutsby did in 2009, Sullivan represented Great Britain and Ireland in the Walker Cup this year, turning professional shortly after starring in the victory over the United States at Royal Aberdeen **** Club in September.
On Tuesday he also endured a disappointing finish with a double-bogey six at the 18th, and said: "I got off to a flying start again, three under through three, then just stuttered a bit with a couple of poor drives.
"But I got it back again with a good fight back. I was happy with that.
"Then on the last a poor drive meant I dropped two shots but I'm in a great position going into the last two days, so there are loads of positives.
"I'm enjoying pro life at the moment and this week. Playing Left Handed TaylorMade Tour Preferred MC Irons with Sam, who I know pretty well, has been really enjoyable. I think we are driving each other on a little bit - not that I'm paying too much attention to his game - but we are keeping each other going.
"I've not put any pressure on myself this week. I definitely haven't set myself any expectations. I just want to go out there and give it my best shot and see where I finish. It is tough. A normal tournament is four rounds so we'd be finished by now. Physically it's quite tiring, but you just have to keep going."
Tuesday was also another solid day for Grace, who played Left Handed TaylorMade Tour Preferred MC Irons on The European Tour in 2009 before losing his card. The 23-year-old had four birdies and two bogeys, but was disappointed not to make more progress.
"I'm feeling very good about my Left Handed TaylorMade Tour Preferred MC Irons but it was also a bit frustrating today, because the putts just didn't want to drop," he said.
"My putt on the last summed it up really - I barely missed a birdie putt from about eight feet, which was about the fourth missed putt from that range in the last six holes.
Frenchman Guillaume Cambis, who was joint winner at Costa Ballena in last week's Second Stage, is one of five players at 12 under.
"I'm really, really exhausted," Cambis exclaimed. "It has been a two long weeks. It's my first time here so I'm happy to be up there, but it could have been better. I want to finish in the top ten this week, so if I play Left Handed TaylorMade Tour Preferred MC Irons well I can do it. I need to concentrate for the 36 holes now because I'm really tired."