Ben Campbell, a 34-year-old from Queenstown, and Spanish great Jon Rahm both fired extraordinary nine-under 63s in the second round at the Grange on Friday.
Rahm (13 under) holds a one shot lead from Campbell, with another major winner Bryson DeChambeau well-poised at 11 under.
"It's always where you want to be," Campbell said of his position between high-profile rivals.
The Kiwi's stunning round featured an eagle - holing a 77-metre second shot on the par-4 18th hole - and seven birdies.
Rahm, ominously, also bagged seven birdies and an eagle.
"I putted extremely well ... it was a fantastic day on the greens, that's the biggest takeaway," Rahm said.
Lucas Herbert was the biggest Australian mover on Friday with a seven-under 65.
Herbert is eight under and compatriot and overnight co-leader Marc Leishman remained six under after an even-par round.
Cameron Smith is five under after a promising 67 and 23-year-old Elvis Smylie, who won on his LIV tour debut last weekend in Saudi Arabia, is three under.
The four Australians have their Ripper GC placed only one shot from the team title lead.
Herbert said while repeating Ripper's 2024 team win was front of mind, he longed to be the first Australian to win LIV's Adelaide title.
"I've dreamt plenty, so it would be nothing new to think about," Herbert said.
"There's two rounds to go. I wouldn't normally want to give Jon Rahm a five-shot headstart ... he's not known for falling apart.
"If he's going to win, at least push him all the way."
Leishman trod water after two bogeys in his initial five holes as Kiwi Campbell, who turned pro in 2012 and has two Asian tour wins and an NZ PGA title on his resume, blitzed the sandbelt course in Adelaide's beachside west.
Campbell said he "managed to rattle of a few birdies": he reeled off five in a row, and seven in 10 holes, plus his highlight-reel eagle.
Campbell, Rahm and Talor Gooch, who is nine under after also banking 63 on Friday, were one stroke shy of the course record.
American Gooch shot successive 62s when winning the inaugural LIV event in Adelaide in 2023.
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