Terry Pilkadaris is four shots off the lead after shooting a one-under-par second round of 70 at the Saint Omer Open. The Australian, who started day two in a tie for 28th position on two over – and looked set for another bad day at the office with bogeys at the 3rd and 4th, worked his way back into contention after he registered birdies at the 8th, 9th and 14th. Pilkadaris (one over) now enjoys a share of 10th spot at the halfway mark of the tournament and in hot pursuit of leader Christian Nilsson (three under). Nilsson equalled the course record with a stunning seven-under 64. The 29-year-old fired seven birdies in a flawless second round to match the record held by Brett Rumford and Jamie Little, which propelled him two shots clear of Englishman John Morgan. Nilsson attributed his strong showing to his short game and the improved weather. “Yesterday was not good but today was very good,” he said. “I made a lot of putts and played good iron shots. Playing well on the greens was a big difference. I didn&apost make any putts yesterday but today I did.” “The greens are very tricky and tough to find the lines but today I found them.” “The weather also made a big difference. Yesterday was windy, rainy and cold.” “It&aposs a lot more fun to play in good conditions and when you play well it&aposs even more fun.” He added: “I need a good couple of rounds now to finish and I&aposm feeling quite refreshed.” Meanwhile, Paul McGinley&aposs chances of making Europe&aposs Ryder Cup team look bleak after he missed the cut. The Irishman followed up a three-over-par 74 from Friday with a four-over 75 to miss the cut by two shots. Had he holed a 20-foot putt for birdie on the 18th green he would have made it through to the weekend, but it sailed past and he then missed the return. That bogey was one of six for the day and 12 for the tournament. Despite a strong showing in the first half of the BMW PGA Championships last month, where he set a new record low 36-hole aggregate, the 41-year-old has yet to win this season and failed to qualify for this week&aposs US Open. McGinley sunk to new lows here this week, finishing day two 10 shots off the lead. Overnight leader Roope Kakko could not reproduce Friday&aposs superb form and a three-over 74 left him tied for fourth with six others on level par. Other Aussies who find themselves thereabouts are Scott Barr (two over) and David Bransdon (three over). Second Round of the Saint Omer Open (Par 71): -3: Christian Nilsson 75 64 -1: John E Morgan 69 72 E: Liam Bond 73 69, Roope Kakko 68 74, Mikko Korhonen 69 73, Gareth Maybin 70 72, Alexandre Rocha 75 67, Marco Ruiz 74 68, Marco Soffietti 72 70 +1: Sion E Bebb 73 70, Seve Benson 71 72, Christophe Brazillier 72 71, Mark Haastrup 74 69, Jan-Are Larsen 70 73, Steven O Hara 74 69, Terry Pilkadaris (Australia) 73 70, Eric Ramsay 70 73, Nicolas Vanhootegem 74 69 Also: +2: Scott Barr (Australia) 73 71 +3: David Bransdon (Australia) 72 73 +4: Steve Alker (New Zealand) 74 72, Gareth Paddison (New Zealand) 71 75 +11: Andrew Tampion (Australia) 75 78 +16: Peter Fowler (Australia) 79 79