Early on it was France’s Romain Langasque and Scotland’s Grant Forrest who shot up the leaderboard with a seven-under 65. Langasque who started the day at two-under improved on that by four shots on his front nine with another three on the back to vault him to nine-under-par. Forrest started with three birdies on the first four holes and added to that with an eagle on the par-four 9th. His back nine was a little less exciting by comparison with only two birdies, regardless it was a blemish-free 65 to leave him at ten-under for the tournament.
Defending champion Dylan Frittella showed some of last year’s winning form with a blemish-free front nine which included five birdies. Unfortunately, his back nine, which included an eagle, was ruined by four bogeys and possibly too much to do come Sunday. Leaders from day one Chikkarangappa S and Perez both shot a one-under 71 to see them slide down the leaderboard.
Yesterday’s leader Kurt Kitayama couldn’t match his two 65’s but grinded out a two-under 70 to retain his place at the top of the leaderboard. The day, however, belonged to South Africa’s Justin Harding who equalled the low round of the tournament with a brilliant 64. A solid round with no bogeys and some good putting saw him navigate his way around the Four Seasons Golf Club Mauritius at Anahita with no bogeys and eight birdies. Yet to record a top 10 finish on the European tour Harding looks to rectify that and possibly more come Sunday afternoon. Three players Kawamura, Pavon and Chikkarangappa S are three adrift at 13 under and all still very much in the hunt. It’s all to play for come Sunday with a rookie and a first time top 10 hopeful.
