Thomas Bjorn today spoke of his determination not only to get back among golf's elite, but also to get back to beating them.
The Ryder Cup star's stop-start season burst into life again with an eight under par 64 in the second round of the French Open at Le Golf National near Paris.
At halfway he is 10 under and two in front of compatriot Anders Hansen, England's David Howell and Philip Golding, Spaniard Jose Manuel Lara and Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts.
Justin Rose and Scot Stephen Gallacher are one further behind.
Two years ago, after getting the better of Tiger Woods head-to-head in Dubai, Bjorn reached 10th in the world - and expected to go higher. He is currently 44th, but still thinks he can do it.
"I know I have the golf game and think my best game is among the best in the world. But I don't perform my best all the time," said the Dane.
"I don't know why, but I think in the last year I haven't played enough. I seem to play my best when I get into a routine of playing a lot of tournaments and that's what I'm going into now."
Graeme McDowell leads the five strong Irish challenge and sits just four shots off Bjorn's lead. He fired a splendid four under 68.
Ronan Rafferty will play the weekend after a 72 left him in the mix on two under. He is joined on that mark by Gary Murphy who shot a two over 74 while Paul McGinley is one shot further back.
Philip Walton, however, is on his way home after a three over 75 left him on eight over.