Que running 3rd after a 65

MANILA, Philippines - Angelo Que charged home with a sizzling six-under par 65 to emerge a surprise clubhouse joint third placer in a leaderboard teeming with talent, just two strokes behind South African Thomas Aiken halfway through the European Masters at the Crans-Sur-Sierre Golf Club in Switzerland Friday.

Que, who teed off at the backside of the par-71 layout in the Swiss Alps, made five birdies on his homeward trip for a flawless 31 and a 65, jumping from a share of 37th into the group of Simon Dyson of England and Paul McGinley of Ireland with a 36-hole aggregate of eight-under 134 with a third of the field still to complete play.

Still, it was an impressive two-day show by the power-hitting Filipino shotmaker, who opened with a steady two-under 69 Thursday before resuming his bid with a three-birdie, two-bogey stint at the back for a 35.

He then birdied No. 1 for the second straight day, knocked down another birdie on the par-3 No. 3, hit another one on the fifth before closing out with back-to-back birdies to ensure his berth in the $2.8 million Masters weekend.

South African Aiken Thomas, who tied for eighth in the British Open, led the attack on the course in ideal condition with an eagle-aided seven-under 64, posting a provisional one-shot lead over Bradley Dredge of Wales and two over Que and two others.

Dredge matched Que’s output with a bogey-free 33-32 round while McGinley, member of three winning Ryder Cup teams, fired a 68 and Dyson matched par 71 after a solid 63 in the first round.

Thai ace Chapchai Nirat stood at 135 after a 67 while Thongchai Jaidee slowed down with a 71 after a 65 for a 136.