After shooting a one-under par 70 in windy afternoon conditions on Thursday, the Warrnambool professional had hoped to cash in on benign conditions with an early-morning tee-time yesterday.

But the wind blew early.

"I was on the good side of the draw last week with the wind at the Australian Open but it wasn't to be today," a philosophical Leishman said.

The 26-year-old was at one under, tied for 20th, six shots off the lead.

But Leishman was pleased with his round.

"I finished off all right," Leishman said.

"I played better. It was a good day without being a great day. If I could have a good day tomorrow or Sunday I will be in with a chance."

Leishman, who had worked on his putting , said his form on the greens had improved .

"I putted well without too many going in but it is getting a lot closer."

He said he was battling to adjust to the Bermuda grass greens.

"Sometimes you might have a putt on the side of a hill but the ball won't roll down the hill because of the way the grass grows. Unless you have grown up in Queensland or putted a lot on these types of greens, they are completely different to what you play on in Victoria. It takes a lot of getting used to but I am getting there.

"There were a few birdie putts didn't quite drop. I am close to having a good round."

Leishman's round of 71 included two birdies and two bogeys.

With overnight leader Korean Min-Kyu Han dropping two shots early in his round, last week's Australian Open runner-up Stuart Appleby emerged from the chasing pack to close within one shot of the lead.

The jittery young Han crashed out of the lead in spectacular style.

Victorian rookie Matt Griffin (67-68) held the halfway lead going into the weekend on seven under, one better than another Victorian Jason Norris (69-67) who almost died two years ago after crashing a push-bike late at night on the grounds of the Coolum resort.

Norris, who said Coolum "owed him" shared second place with Geoff Ogilvy (70-66) and Stuart Appleby (67-69).

Robert Allenby and Adam Scott (four under) were also poised to strike. with AAP