Ewen Ferguson retained the lead in the ISPS Handa World Invitational with a level-par round at the Massereene Golf Club on Friday.
After setting a course record nine-under-par 61 on the opening day at Galgorm Castle Golf Club, the Scot fought off the challenge of Spaniard Borja Virto, who switched to Galgorm for his second round.
Ferguson found the switch to Massereene tougher than Galgorm Castle and had to contend with Virto, who claimed the lead at one point before a poor 7th hole him slipping to eight under and a shot off the leader.
Virto, who started on the 10th tee, saw his chance of the halfway lead slip away on the par-three 7th when his tee shot ended up in the water and he took a double-bogey five to trail Ferguson by one shot.
A two-way tie for third placed Sweden’s Felix Palson alongside Italian amateur Filippo Celli on seven under, with Scotland’s Connor Syme a stroke further back.
South Africa’s Wilco Nienaber followed his first-round 66 with a second-round 72 that included two birdies and four bogies. With that, he slipped to two under overall for a share of 24th.
Thomas Aiken, Bryce Easton and Deon Germishuys are all on even par (T41).
– Edited DP World Tour website report
