Pumped Up Quayle makes charge

Australia's Anthony Quayle boosted his hopes of qualifying for the US PGA Tour's ZOZO Championship by staying in touch with the leader at the Vantelin Tokai Classic.

Starting the day in a tie for 22^nd place, the 28-year-old Quayle fired a five-under-par 66 to move into a share for third at seven-under 135 after the completion of 36 holes in Aichi on Friday.

Quayle is four shots adrift of Yuto Katsuragawa, who blazed the West Course of Miyoshi Country Club with a 63 to lead the tournament at 11-under.

Another Australian Adam Bland also produced a solid second-round display as he traded five birdies against two bogeys to be tied eighth on 137, with American Todd Baek (70) and Hyunwoo Ryu (67) sitting a further shot back in joint 11th.

Juvic Pagunsan of the Philippines returned a 69 for tied-19th while Australia's Brad Kennedy dropped to joint-24th on 140 after struggling to a 73.

Quayle began his second round from the 10th tee full of optimism when he birdied four times in the six-hole stretch starting from the 12th to complete his inward nine at four-under.

He then steadily parred the first six holes after the turn before sandwiching a bogey in between two birdies on the 16th and 18th holes to put him in contention for a maiden JGTO victory.

Quayle had come agonisingly close to a win in May when he was pipped to the Gateway to The Open Mizuno Open by Zimbabwe's Scott Vincent through the playoff.

"I have played nicely. My game feels nice and the course really suits me," said Quayle.

"It was just a really solid couple of days. I am hitting the ball long again so if I can find a few fairways over the weekend, I’ll be able to play really well."

Quayle will have more than just one motivation factor to excel this week, knowing he has a shot at making his PGA Tour debut through the ZOZO Championship, which is taking place at Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club from Oct 13-16.

Only the top eight JGTO money leaders after the completion of next week's For The Players by The Players will make the cut for the US$11mil showpiece.

Currently 11th in the Money Rankings, Quayle must break into the top-nine at least in order to earn the coveted spot with first-placed Kazuki Higa having already secured his ticket by virtue of being the BMW Japan Golf Tour Championship Mori Building Cup winner.

"I really want to play ZOZO so I am working hard to achieve that," vowed Quayle.

Katsuragawa continued with his impressive form after finishing solo third in last week's Panasonic Open to pave way for a potential second victory of the season.

The ISPS Handa Championship winner in April chalked up an eagle on the par-five 12th and complement it with six birdies.

Overnight leader Genki Okada slipped to second and to trail Katsuragawa by three shots after signing for a 69.