Australians top the leaderboard at both venues being used for the Asian Tour Q-School through 36 holes.

Matthew Giles has a commanding position at Lakeview Golf Club while Matt Jager shares the lead at Khon Kaen GC in Thailand.

Giles jumped to a two shot lead at his venue after adding a 5-under-par 67 to his first round 66 while Jager, playing the more difficult of the two courses, struggled to a 75 to be one of only two players under par.

Jager’s round looked to be getting away from him midway through the back nine after he dropped six shots in six holes but he rallied with birdies at 15 and 18 to salvage a score and maintain a share of the lead.

At the easier Lakeview course Giles posted seven birdies for the second day in a row but dropped two shots along the way in round two compared to just one in round one.

Eight  Australians are inside the top-10 at Khon Kaen, Jarrod John Freeman T3 one shot behind Jager followed by Rohan Blizard (T5), Blair Wilson (7th), Matthew McBain and Chris Gaunt (T8) and Jason Norris and Paul Donahoo (T10).

At the Lakeview course Andrew Martin (T7) is the only Australian besides Giles to be in the top-10 with Jun-Seok Lee the next best Aussie at T14.

18 Australians have teed up at this week’s first stage of Q-School with another 37 due to hit off in the second wave of first stage qualifying to be played next week.

All are playing for a place in the final stage from January 21-24 where 40 cards will be handed out for the 2015 Tour.

The top 17 per cent from each of the four first stage events book a place in the final. 32 players qualified last year with a similar number expected to get through this year.