Camiko Smith’s bid to qualify for the European Tour hangs in the balance.

He carded a creditable one-over-par 73, that included five birdies and six bogeys, during yesterday’s second round of the first stage of European Tour qualifiers at the Ribagolfe Golf Club in Lisbon.

But with only those players within seven shots of the qualifying place advancing to the final round after 54 holes, Smith still has considerable ground to cover with no margin for error.

“I need to have a really good round tomorrow,” Smith said. “I need to play really well and have more putts to drop.

“My game is improving each day and I just have to stick with the process, lessen the bogies and never give up.”

Smith’s never-say-die approach paid off yesterday as he managed to make up precious ground on the leaderboard to keep his qualifying bid on track — if only just. Three bogeys on the front nine enabled him to make the turn at two over.

But Smith fared better coming in, playing the final nine holes at one under to move to six-over-par 150 for the tournament.

“Today was an up and down sort of round but I kept focused and grinded out a decent round,” Smith said. “The course is playing fairly long with the fairways being soft. But I’m driving the ball well and just need to sharpen up around the greens.”

Peter Bocain, from Sweden, holds a four-shot lead over second placed Alfredo Garcia-Heredia, of Spain.