BOWOOD'S Jordan Smith gave another ample demonstration of why he will be playing on the European Tour next year after carding two eagles on his final two holes to take the outright lead after the second round of the Kazakhstan Open at Zhailjau Golf Resort.

Derry Hill's Smith, who has wrapped up playing rights on the full European Tour for 2017, started his day on the tenth tee and made the turn in 34, two under par for the round.

The 23 year old, second in the Challenge Tour's Road to Oman Rankings, started his back nine with a birdie on the first hole, but bogeyed the par four fifth hole.

Sitting three shots behind the leaders, he then eagled both the eighth and ninth holes to surge up the leaderboard ahead of Steven Brown, Romain Langasque and Ricardo Santos.

“This may sound ridiculous, but I didn’t hit the ball as well as I did yesterday,” said Smith. “But I still hit it well and I’m happy with how I played.

“My eagles weren’t too bad at all. I pitched in from 44 yards on eight, and shot driver, eight iron into nine and holed a 16-footer. It sounds easy, but it really wasn’t.

“Having that lead gives you a bit of leeway going into the third round. Being in the final group always helps and I’m going to approach tomorrow’s round the same way as I approached the first two days.”