Overland Park, KS (My Sportsbook) - Nationwide Tour money leader Michael Sim fired a four-under 67 on Friday to headline a three-way tie for the lead after the second round of the Christmas in October Classic.
Tom Gillis shot a three-under 68 and first-round leader Paul Claxton had a 69 to join Sim at 10-under 132.
Steve Wheatcroft (67) was alone in fourth place at nine-under 133, and Joe Daley (66) sat another stroke further back at eight-under 134.
Sim, who leads No. 2 Chris Tidland by more than $120,000 on the money list, is chasing his third victory of the season -- which would carry an automatic promotion to the PGA Tour.
The 24-year-old Australian, in addition to his two wins, has posted four other top-10 finishes this season. One came last month at the Cox Classic, where he shared the third-round lead but shot a 70 on Sunday and tied for fifth place.
Sim will use that experience to motivate him this weekend.
"I've been in this position before and I know what it feels like, so I'm just going to get it out of the back of my mind and just play golf the last two rounds," said Sim, who collected five birdies and a bogey for his 67. "I got too distracted in Omaha and thought about it too much. I'm in a position now where I can [win], but I've got to try and keep the distractions to a minimum."
Claxton held onto a share of the lead despite taking two bogeys and a costly double-bogey on his back nine Friday. The double-bogey came at No. 8, his second-to-last hole.
"I hit a bad shot and then I hit a poor bunker shot that didn't get out of the bunker," said the 41-year-old, who is chasing his third career win on tour. "When you play golf long enough stuff like that happens. I'm going to try and put it behind me and think about the good things that happened."
Gillis, who is seeking his second win, overcame a bogey at No. 5 -- his 14th hole -- with an eagle at the par-five fifth to earn his share of the lead. He is No. 3 on the money list behind Sim and Tidland.
The cut line fell at one-under 141 with 68 players moving on to the weekend.
