LEADERBOARD +27 S Webster (Eng) +26 N O'Hern (Aus) +23 P Casey (Eng), T Levet (Fra) +22 P O'Malley (Aus), M Campell (NZ)

The Nuneaton-based golfer shot a second consecutive 66 featuring seven birdies and one bogey, picking up 13 points in the stableford format.

That took him to 27 for the tournament - four ahead of defending champion Paul Casey on 23.

Laura Davies' bid to make the cut fell well short as she shot an 83 to finish on minus 13 points.

Peter O'Malley and Michael Campbell were tied for third on 22 points.

Webster, a runner-up on the European Tour four times in his career, later credited Ian Woosnam with his change in fortunes.

Woosie got me hitting it really well again Steve Webster

Webster missed the cut at the Dunhill Championship in Johannesburg and again last week at the Heineken Classic.

But he bumped into Woosnam on the practice range at Royal Melbourne and was given a four-hour lesson that revitalised his game.

"Woosie got me hitting it really well again. I was swinging terrible and he told me that," said the Englishman.

Webster was the outstanding performer on Friday as he combated the winds superbly, finishing four points clear of Casey.

The defending champion made a 10-shot improvement from his opening round, shooting a 63 containing 10 birdies and the one dropped shot for 19 points.

Overnight leader Nick O'Hern began slowly, carding two birdies and two bogeys on his outward nine to earn just two points and move onto 20.