On a day in which most players in the field found forward progress challenging, Takis took aim on the back nine of the Majlis Course at the Emirates Golf Club.

Sparked by a par save at the 447-yard par-4 12th, the 20-year-old made four birdies in the space of five holes to match the low round of the day, a 6-under 66 and 11-under total.

Takis is in a three-way tie for the lead with Japan’s Rintaro Nakano (66) and 18-hole co-leader Khanh Hung Le (67), who is seeking to become the first player from Vietnam to qualify for both the Masters and The Open Championship.

Winner of the Singapore Open Amateur Championship by 11 strokes in July, Takis is no stranger to the final groups of a major amateur tournament and is ready to embrace what Saturday brings.

“I mean, there’s no better group to play in than the last one,” said Takis. “I can’t be disappointed in that.

“That’s what we play for. We’ve got a massive opportunity and a great city; great part of the world. It’s golf, so I’m always going to try and enjoy it out there. I think that’s when I play my best.”

His best may have taken time to come to the fore on Friday, but when it did, it was spectacular.

After a birdie at the par-5 13th, he chipped in for another on 14, made a two at the par-3 15th and then set up a final birdie at the 359-yard 17th by driving the green.

“Yesterday, I drove it just left of the green; thought it was going to be really good and it was not in a great spot at all,” said Takis.

“I kind of wanted my revenge on that hole a little bit.

“It was downwind and I thought if I hit this thing good, I can probably get it up there.

“I didn’t expect to fly it hole-high, but you have to take the good breaks.”

If Takis was enjoying the good that the golf gods can deliver, Round 1 co-leader and fellow Queenslander Billy Dowling left the course a frustrated figure.

Despite a better ball-striking day than his 6-under 66, Dowling was exasperated as birdie putt after birdie putt brushed the edges of the holes.

“I thought maybe a couple might’ve dropped, but that’s okay,” said Dowling, who shot even-par 72 to be five strokes off the lead and in a tie for seventh.

“I’m still in contention. I’m hitting the ball well. I just know it’s a matter of a few putts going in and I can really make a score out of it.”

Six of the seven Australians in the field advanced to the weekend, with the cut falling at 6-over par.

Sydney’s Kayun Mudadana is 1-under for the championship and in a tie for 19th, fellow New South Welshman Declan O’Donovan making five birdies in his round of 72 to be 1-over and tied for 29th.

Round 3 of the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship will be broadcast live on both Fox Sports and Kayo from 7pm-10pm Saturday, with the final round live from 8pm-11pm Sunday AEDT.
 
Australian scores
T1        Harry Takis (-11)
T7        Billy Dowling (-6)
T19      Kayun Mudadana (-1)
T29      Declan O'Donovan (+1)
T49      Jye Halls (+4)
T60      Chase Oberle (+6)
MC       Graham Hourn (+10)