Martin Laird carded a second consecutive round of 67 to take the lead at the halfway mark of the Frys.com Open in California.
Having started the day one shot behind Sang-Moon Bae, the Scot began with four pars before a birdie at the fifth and, despite dropping a shot at the next hole, he picked up strokes at the eighth and ninth to go out in 34.
The Glaswegian then sunk another three birdies on the back nine to hold a slender advantage over Mae heading into the weekend.
He will also be pursued by Scott Langley after the American made a late move up the leaderboard to reach eight-under-par.
