Gillis takes halfway lead with 64

American Tom Gillis shot a seven-under-par 64 on Friday to move to the top of the Belgian Open leaderboard at Knokke where two years ago a closing putt changed his life.

Gillis, one shot ahead of Irishman Padraig Harrington at the halfway stage, equalled his lowest score in Europe to move to 131, 11 under.

He fashioned his lead on five birdies in six holes after the turn.

Harrington, who just missed a birdie at the last to match Gillis, has yet to chalk up any Ryder Cup points in the third week of qualifying but threatens a big haul after carding a second round 67.

That took him two shots ahead of three morning front-runners, Britons Lee Westwood and Gary Evans and South African Roger Wessels, and Frenchman Marc Farry who played in the afternoon.

Westwood has the chance to move back to top of the European rankings after money-list leader Darren Clarke missed the cut.

Gillis has no Ryder Cup aspirations but has the chance to record his first win from 106th place on the European rankings, still not completely safe for a card next year yet.

Recalling his trials and tribulations in Belgium two years ago, Gillis explained how he had prepared himself for tackling the Royal Zoute course this year.

"I holed a putt on the last here two years ago which I thought was pretty important at the time. It gave me 39th place and I kept my card by $280.

"But it also probably cost me a divorce because my wife couldn't wear the golf and me being away. In the end something that was supposed to have given me one of the happiest moments of my life turned into one of the biggest downs.

"I've gradually got my life together. But the pressure is always there so I did a crazy thing after last week's Lancome Trophy -- I went home for a week.

"I put the fishing boat on the back of the car and went up from Michigan to a friend's resort. I fished in the morning, caught 11 pike in two days, and practised golf in the afternoon.

"I came here completely recharged. Nothing much happened for 27 holes but then the putter got hot and that makes you fearless."

Colin Montgomerie, trying to get back into the race for the European number one spot, hit back from a poor start with an eagle and two birdies to card a 69 and lie seven off the lead.

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