GERMAN SCHMITT TAKES ROUND TWO OVERNIGHT LEAD AT KENYA OPEN
By AMANDA DAMARIS
Kristian Johannessen consistent play in round one and two of the Barclays Kenya Open was not enough to hand him the overnight lead as Max Schmitt burst out of the blocks to earn the lead at an impressive ten under par 132.
Schmitt played a second round of 6 under par 65 to add to his round one’s four under par 67 for the total score of ten under par.
Just like on the first round, the 19 year old posted a single bogey, improving his birdie count to seven holes from Thursday’s five.
“It was a perfect round. I had one bogey, which wasn’t nice, but I came back with a lot of birdies after that so I am pleased. It’s really great to be leading and I am excited for the next two days as I don’t think the first two could have got any better,” Schmitt said.
The youngster says he is not used to being in the lead but he will do his best to stay at the top.
“My ball striking is really good right now, my wedge shots have been pure and I have been putting everything within ten feet. I won three times last year which I think will help me over the weekend. It is a very big event which I really want to win,” he added.
On his part, Johannessen birdied four holes, bogeying two and eagled the par 5 tenth for another 4 under par 67 just like he posted on Thursday to finish second.
“It was definitely a round of two halves. I teed off really early this morning so I was playing my first couple of shots in the dark, but that seemed to work well as I managed to eagle my first hole. I could barely see the ball, maybe I should play more in the dark,” said the Norwegian.
The 23 year old said that the 20 minutes break between each nine holes made him lose a bit of his first nine rhythm, adding that this is a huge week, being the biggest event on the Challenge Tour and it is important to play well.
“If you win here you take a huge step towards the European Tour, so I am really pleased with how well I have played,” he said.
First day’s winner Ross Kellett had a bad run on the second round as he played for a two over par 73 for a four under par 138. nike air max cheap wholesale nike air max cheap wholesale