A dozen South Africans started, but only two – Dean Burmester and Haydn Porteous – will play on this weekend at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open.
The ten going home, after Friday’s cut was set at four under, include Richard Sterne -3 and a trio of Saffas at two under – Brandon Stone, Hennie Otto and Lyoness Open champion Dylan Frittelli.
Burmester and Porteous are both at -7, but some six shots off the lead set by Daniel Im and Frenchman Benjamin Hebert, with Jon Rahm one behind on his European Tour debut.
For Burmester, it was a case of job done and done well in getting to the weekend, after following his opening 70 with a classy 67 on a day that was difficult for scoring on a tight Portstewart course that spat out host Rory McIlory.
Burmester had four birdies on his front nine and two more – adding to his ever-growing reputation as a player with plenty of low numbers in him – and just one bogey, which came at the par four 11th.
Countryman Porteous will join him trying to chase down the leaders, while remaining cautious on the links after a second round 66 which included an eagle, six birdies and two bogeys on an eventful Friday for the young South African.
Porteous will look to make it count on the front on Saturday after going -5 through two rounds so far.
Burmester begins his Saturday at 11:10 with Porteous off at 11:35.
