A bright finish in the rain by pre-tournament favourite Colin Montgomerie saw him break 70 for the first time this season and move within three strokes of the Italian Open second-round lead today.
Montgomerie picked up four strokes in the last five holes, including a 50ft eagle putt on the long 16th, to card a five-under-par 67 that closed the gap on joint-leaders Peter O'Malley of Australia and Swedish outsider Fredrik Widmark.
O'Malley and Widmark lead by a stroke from Dutchman Rolf Muntz with another Swede Pehr Magnebrant, Danish 40-year-old Steen Tinning, who equalled the course record 64, and Britain's Gary Clark, second overnight, two shots off the lead.
Seven-times European number one Montgomerie is in the next group. The 39-year-old Scot, playing with new cavity-backed irons this week, was lifted by his big finish but was still prone to wayward driving.
By the 14th hole it looked as though Montgomerie was in for another indifferent day but then he suddenly came to life, especially with his mammoth eagle putt.
Defending champion Ian Poulter fired 66 to put him in with a chance of pulling off his third Italian Open title in four years.
Seve Ballesteros made his second cut of the year in four European Tour starts after he posted a 71 to lie 143, but former Italian Open winner Sam Torrance missed out on 145 after a 73.
Ireland's Damien McGrane shot a 68 and is seven shots off the lead. Philip Walton recorded a three under par 69 and sits at two under for the tournament, as is Gary Murphy who was one over for his second round.