Deon Germishuys remains in contention to win the ISPS Handa Championship heading into the weekend.
The South African followed his first-round 64 in the DP World Tour event with a second-round 68 on Friday that included three birdies and a bogie.
He shares fifth place on eight under with Japan’s Takumi Kanaya and England’s Jordan Smith.
The trio are two shots behind the leaders, Jazz Janewattananond – who finished his second round with a hat-trick of birdies – Grant Forrest and Lucas Herbert.
Thailand’s Janewattananond saved his best for last as he followed up his opening 67 with a stunning 63 on Friday, making five birdies over the last seven holes to reach 10 under par.
Forrest also finished with a flourish as he posted a sensational 62 for the lowest round of the week so far.
The Scot drained a monster birdie putt at the 8th – his penultimate hole – before making a closing gain from around 10 feet to join early starters Janewattananond and Herbert at the summit.
From downtown! 🤩@grantforrest93 shares a tie of the lead at -10 after a second round 62, lowest round of the week so far.#ISPSHandaChampionship pic.twitter.com/SevN1JHbCn
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) April 21, 2023
Australian Herbert, whose arrival into Japan was delayed by travel issues earlier in the week, shot a second-round 63 which contained nine birdies and two bogeys.
Germany’s Maximilian Kieffer was in solo fourth, one shot behind the leaders on nine under after his 65.
– Edited report from DP World Tour website
