The Gold Creek club pro fired a three-over 74 on Friday to be three-over for the tournament at The Australian Golf Club in Sydney.

Former Royal Canberra member Ryan Ruffels is still in contention as the top amateur after also posting 74 in the second round to be two-over after 36 holes.

Millar started out strongly to pick up two shots in the opening six holes before he dropped four strokes in three holes, including a double bogey on the par four ninth.

Another birdie on the 14th hole got Millar back on track, but he bogeyed both the 16th and 17th holes to leave him 10 shots off the lead.

"It was pretty tough today and didn't quite pan out the way I wanted to," Millar said.

"Got off to a good start, then let it go in the middle through three of the tougher holes.

"It wasn't the best way to finish, so we'll see how we get on on the weekend."

Millar was tied for 19th after the opening round to build on his top-10 finish at last week's Australian Masters.

He teed off in the morning group on Friday and encountered the worst of the conditions.

Ruffels had a tough start to his second round playing from the back nine.

He dropped shots on the 10th and 11th holes before an eagle on the par five, 18th drew him back level for the day at the turn.

A birdie on the second hole erased a dropped shot on the first, but a double bogey on the par four, sixth followed by another dropped shot on the fourth hole left the youngsters a fair way off the pace.