World No. 1 Jordan Spieth moved into contention heading into the weekend at the Australian Open, as hometown hopeful Matt Jones kept up his impressive form to top the leaderboard after day two in Sydney.
Having signed for a 4-under 67 on day one, Jones was again in fine form, sinking four birdies on his way home but blemished by two bogeys.
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Overnight leader Lincoln Tighe dropped back after shooting 2-over, leaving Jones three strokes clear of second-place Todd Sinnott going into the weekend.
The Sydney-born Jones has been based in the United States throughout his career but is nevertheless excited at the prospect of winning his home tournament for the first time.
"Of course I've thought about it… it would be fantastic," Jones said. "Any time you have a chance to win your own country's Open, it would be fantastic.
"But, two days to go, I can't really be thinking about that now. I'll be thinking about that if I have a chance coming down the stretch on Sunday.''
Spieth won by six strokes at the Australian Golf Club last year and followed up an even-par first round with 3-under to ensure he is tied for third, four shots back with Tighe, Aron Price, Geoff Ogilvy and Nicolas Colsaerts, Friday's lowest-scoring player with a five-under 66.
Having picked up three shots before the turn, Spieth could have moved closer to Jones had two birdies on the back nine not been wiped out by consecutive bogeys at 15 and 16.
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Nevertheless, Spieth was in a bullish mood after his round and believes he is yet to hit top form.
"I feel like I've still got the best golf yet to be played — that's what's positive," the American said. "That's what I'm going with.''
The field's main Australian draw, Adam Scott, looks to be out of contention after a miserable day on the greens saw him card a 2-over, leaving the 2009 champion nine shots off the pace.