New Zealanders Brenden Stuart (69 66) and Jim Cusdin (67 68) are in a tie for third place three shots off the pace at the half way stage of the 2009 Australasian Tour Qualifying School, being contested on the Champions Course at the Sandhurst Club in Melbourne.

Gary Simpson has climbed to the top of the leaderboard after the second round shooting a seven under par 65 to take a two shot lead from Mitchell Brown.

With temperatures topping 39 degress and winds up to 40 kilometres it was a grind for the competitors but Brown from New South Wales was impressive as he set the pace early. He fired an unblemished eight under 64 that included eight birdies to follow his first round 70 to move to the top of the leaderboard before Simpson came home in the afternoon session to bump Brown out of pole position.

114 players will play the first three days before a cut is made. The leading 75 players plus ties at the end of day three on Thursday will progress to the final round.

The leading 60 players (and ties) at the conclusion of Friday’s final round will be eligible to apply to become Full Members (Tournament) of the PGA of Australia for 2010.

Other New Zealand scores were John Bae (Amateur) 71 71 tied 27th, Josh Carmichael 74 70 tied 51st, Martin Pettigrew 71 78 tied 84th, Mark Boe 74 76 tied 90th with Todd Nicholson 75 75.