Wilco Nienaber roared back into contention at the Hero Open on Friday.
The South African’s second-round 61 included seven birdies and two eagles, as he and Scotland’s Ewen Ferguson both broke the course record at Fairmont St Andrews.
Nienaber, who carded a first-round 71, will go into the third round three shots behind American Sean Crocker, who followed up Thursday’s 63 with a flawless 66 on day two.
Crocker made the most of favourable morning conditions to fire six birdies – three on each side of the course – and get to 15 under par. And although the course record he had set in the first round was broken, no one was able to catch him at the summit.
Home favourite Scott Jamieson was alone in second on 14 under, one stroke ahead of Jonathan Thomson, Jens Dantorp, David Law, Adrian Otaegui and later starter Ross Fisher.
Starting from the 10th tee, Crocker birdied the 11th from 16 feet following a fine tee shot at the par three. He notched his second birdie of the day at the 15th before picking up another shot on the 18th from five feet.
The American made it back-to-back birdies from around 13 feet on the first green before narrowly missing his lengthy effort at the next.
A close-range birdie followed at the par-five third and Crocker completed his second round with a brilliant birdie from 14 feet at the 9th to lead the tournament at the halfway stage.
– Edited version of report from DP World Tour website
