Jbe’ Kruger shot 67 on Friday to share 17th place going into the weekend of the Resorts World Manila Masters, where India’s Jyoti Randhawa led on 15 under par.
Kruger played the first round in three under par with an eagle three at the 18th hole, but was more impressive in the second round.
His Friday included five birdies on the front side to make the turn in 31, but he couldn’t retain the break needed on the second loop.
His birdie at the 15th was offset by a bogey at the 17th before the Bloemfontein local signed for 67 and a total of eight under par going into the weekend.
Zimbabwe’s Scott Vincent opened his account with a 66 and was flying towards the lead on Friday when he turned in 33, but took a double bogey at the 11th. He regrouped and birdied the 14th, 17th, and 18th to sign for 68 and a share of eighth place at the midway mark.
Randhawa, meanwhile, soared into pole position with two bogey-free rounds. He’s racked up 15 birdies in 36 holes at Manila Southwoods Golf & Country Club, but will need to continue scoring to achieve victory.
‘I found the rhythm back in my swing and I just stuck with that and decided to do the same thing today. I was a bit tentative on the first hole but I told myself, let’s do what I did yesterday,’ he said.
