South Africa’s Danie van Tonder has soared to the top of the leaderboard on the back of three eagles to hold a narrow lead at the halfway stage of the Kenya Savannah Classic.
Van Tonder eagled the sixth, 11th and 12th at Nairobi’s Karen Country Club on Wednesday as he added a second round 64 to his opening 65 to finish 13-under par, a shot ahead of in-form compatriot Justin Harding and Scotland’s David Drysdale.
Australian pair Scott Hend, with a one-under 70, and Maverick Antcliff, who shot a two-under 69, are now both seven shots off the pace at six-under for the tournament.
The 30-year-old van Tonder also carded three birdies and was two shots clear of the field until dropping his second shot of the day on the 18th.
“It’s a bit different this week,” Van Tonder said. “I’ve found something again. I got some confidence out there so I am able to hit the driver on most tee boxes and be aggressive going into the pins.”
Harding won the Kenya Open on the same course on Sunday and has carried on where he left off with a second round of 66 featuring seven birdies and two bogeys.
“I think the golf course just suits me well,” Harding said. “I think I’ve got to just handle my emotions correctly.
“Today I was a little grumpier than I’ve been for the last five days. There is a lot going on inside with me I suppose but I try to be as calm as I can.”