Matthew Fitzpatrick opened up a two-shot lead over Henrik Stenson and Ashun Wu as the Scandinavian Invitation reached the halfway point at Hills Golf and Sports Club.
Fitzpatrick, a former Ryder Cup player, followed his opening 64 with a 65 to stretch out in front. His round started with a bogey, turned level and then put his round into fifth gear. The Englishman had three 2s on his card coming home and closed with a birdie to post the 36-hole lead at -11.
Like the leader, home favourite Stenson bogeyed the opening hole. He bounced back quicker with consecutive birdies and then following a string of pars before turning with another two birdies in a row.
Two in a row became six in a row as the Swede delighted the home crowd. A closing birdie helped him card a 62 which was unquestionably the round of the day.
Wu’s 64 helped him join Stenson in second place.
South Africa’s best bet was once again Erik van Rooyen, who signed for a 68. He was three under through 12 holes before a double at the fourth – his 13th – saw him surrender his share of the early lead.
Van Rooyen birdied his final hole to share seventh on -7.
Countryman Haydn Porteous rose 35 places on Friday after a bogey-free 66. He sits seven off the pace down in T16. One back is Christiaan Bezuidenhout, who had a mixed day with three bogeys cancelling out his three birdies. He dropped nine places to sit in a tie for 21st place.
Dean Burmester surrendered Thursday’s gains early in round two. The big-hitting South African dropped shots at 2, 8, 10 and 11 as he tumbled down the leaderboard ending in a share of 32nd place.
He did, however, birdie two of his next three holes to restrict the drop to 25 places. Zander Lombard (68) is alongside him with Justin Walters at -1.
A second round 67 put Brandon Stone level through 36 and facing an anxious wait to see if he makes the cut on the number.
