Emiliano Grillo on fire down under in ISPS HANDA Perth International

ARGENTINE youngster Emiliano Grillo is the surprise halfway leader of the ISPS HANDA Perth International after a second-round 67.

The 20-year-old went into the week just focused on securing his European Tour card for next season, lying 112th in the Race to Dubai standings with the top 115 earning another year on tour. But he leads by four shots after rounds of 66 and 67 at Lake Karrinyup and can now aim higher.

“I think I hit it better yesterday than today but a couple of eagles and a hole-out from the bunker helped a lot,” he said. “I just want to have a good week. My goal this week was having a good one to keep my card for next year. If I can win, awesome.”

American Bo van Pelt and home player Jason Scrivener are Grillo’s nearest challengers at seven under. Max McCardle, is at six under alongside Michael Hendry, Jason Dufner and Alejandro Canizares.

England’s David Howell shot 68 to reach five under, in a large group sharing eighth place, and was keen to capitalise by sealing a place in the end of season DP World Tour Championship near his home in Dubai. Howell is 71st in the Race to Dubai and a top-five finish in Perth would leave him in a top-60 place and on track to qualify.

“I have been working really hard to make the top 60 and I’ve played really consistently the last two or three months without any particularly good finishes,” he said. “I’m going to have to have at least one good one if I’m going to make it, so hopefully I’ll have a crack at it at the weekend.”