Lee Westwood shot his lowest round of the season at the Turkish Airlines Open and then insisted he was aiming to go even lower on Friday.
The two-time Order of Merit winner fired an opening 64 at The Montgomerie Maxx Royal to sit second behind Jaco Van Zyl as he recorded eight birdies in an unblemished round.
But only one of those gains came on a par five and, with five on the layout this week, the 42 year old believes he can take advantage over the next three days.
"I drove the ball pretty good and I was in the fairways so I could attack the flags," he said. "My iron shots were good. I hit it close a lot. That was solid and putting was good.
I didn't play the par fives quite as well as I'd have liked. I was only one under for them but I'll try to rectify that tomorrow and shoot lower - Lee Westwood
The former World Number One has three top tens on The European Tour this season to sit 32nd in The Race to Dubai while he is 46th in the Official World Golf Rankings.
Westwood therefore wants a good Final Series to keep him in that all important top 50 in the world and give him some momentum going into the new season.
"Obviously I want to play well and solidify my spot in the top 50 in the world," he said. "A good finish to the year will certainly give me confidence.
"I haven't played very well this year at all, but it's not been a completely disastrous year by any means. But I want next year to be better."
Chris Wood was two shots behind Westwood at six under and is in search of a second title of the year after winning the Lyoness Open Powered by Greenfinity in June.
That was a first win in over two years for the big 27 year old and he is delighted to be back contending regularly after struggling with a wrist injury.
"I've been hitting the ball nicely, nice and consistent and just waiting for that week where it all comes together," he said.
"One week I putted really well and did not quite play so well. The next week I've played great and not quite holed my fair share. It's not felt miles off for a couple of months.
"At the start of the year, I didn't know how I was going to return after quite a serious injury in my wrist.
"The year has turned out brilliant, with a win in Austria and some other good finishes. I'm looking to finish the year strongly."
