Joburg Open runner-up Erik van Rooyen fired a 66 to set the clubhouse target on day two of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.
The South African rookie finished third on last season’s Challenge Tour to earn his spot on the European Tour and has made himself right at home, finishing second at the Joburg Open before Christmas.
He was back in contention again at the Doha Golf Club, making seven birdies and a bogey to get to ten under and lead by one from American Sean Crocker and England’s Oliver Fisher.
Ryan Evans was then in the clubhouse at eight under alongside overnight leaders Grégory Havret and Aaron Rai, who were in the early stages of their rounds.
Crocker made two eagles in his last three holes to sign for a 68, with Fisher making a single bogey for 69.
After a birdie on the first and a bogey on the 13th, Van Rooyen looked in danger of slipping back on another day of excellent scoring conditions. A run of four birdies in a row from the 16th then catapulted him up the leaderboard and a tee shot to 18 feet on the par-three 3rd handed him a two-shot lead.
Fisher and Crocker both joined Van Rooyen at eight under and set the clubhouse target but the 28-year-old birdied the par-five last to hit the front on his own.
George Coetzee is one back after a 66 helped him keep his impressive scoring around this course. Coetzee finished with four birdies in the final seven holes to get into the picture ahead of Saturday’s third round.
The next best Saffa is Jacques Kruyswijk who moved up the leaderboard with a 68. Darren Fichardt and Zander Lombard are unlikely to make the weekend despite an impressive Friday scoring. Fichardt fired a 68, three more than Lombard, whose opening 76 landed him in trouble.
