ATLANTA, Nov 3 - PGA Tour rookie Trevor Immelman has a golden opportunity to end a fairytale season in triumphant style at this week's Tour Championship.

The 26-year-old South African, who clinched his maiden victory at the Western Open in July, charged into contention with a four-under-par 66 in Friday's second round at East Lake Golf Club.

Six birdies, including a slippery downhill putt from 21 feet at the par-three last, left him three strokes behind joint pacesetters Adam Scott of Australia and American Joe Durant.

"There's a long way to go in this tournament but another win this year would be great," a smiling Immelman told reporters after finishing a breezy day in a four-way tie for third place at one-under 139.

"Any time you win on the PGA Tour it's a fantastic achievement."

Immelman's breakthrough victory was certainly that as he had to hold off world number one Tiger Woods in a tournament once viewed as the unofficial 'fifth major'

BETTER THINGS

The young South African had already hinted at better things to come by narrowly missing out on PGA Tour titles in successive weeks during May.

He was beaten by Jim Furyk in a playoff for the Wachovia Championship before finishing a stroke behind winner Brett Wetterich at the Byron Nelson Championship.

"It was just a matter of time before he won," Woods said after losing out to Immelman by two shots in Lemont, Illinois.

"He came close at Wachovia this year and obviously he has an inordinate amount of talent. Good for Trev."

However he fares over the final two rounds at East Lake, Immelman is virtually assured of becoming the first PGA Tour rookie to finish in the top 10 in the final money list since Jerry Pate in 1976.

At the start of this week, the dapper South African occupied seventh spot with earnings of $3,578,189.

His putting is in excellent shape and he liked the look of the par-70 East Lake layout when he first saw it on Monday.

"I've loved the course ever since I got here," he said. "Every hole is a good hole. It's a lot of fun to play."