South African Jbe Kruger paid tribute to his country’s former president Nelson Mandela after claiming the halfway lead in the Hong Kong Open.
Kruger carded a second round of 66, aided by a run of six birdies in seven holes on the back nine, to finish seven under par, one shot ahead of Wales’s Stuart Manley.
The 27-year-old wore two black ribbons as a mark of respect to Mandela, who died on Thursday aged 95, and said: “Wearing these is an honour. Our country lost a real live hero. He was one of the best people and presidents I have ever seen. I don’t know if our country will ever have another leader like that.”
Manley carded a second consecutive 67 to lie six under par, one ahead of veteran German Alex Cjeka, Australian Wade Ormsby and India’s Shiv Kapur.
The 34-year-old from Mountain Ash hit the headlines recently by following a hole-in-one with an 11 on the next hole during the third round of the World Cup at Royal Melbourne.
Manley, who thought he had won a Mercedes car for his ace before being told it was only on offer during the final round, went on to finish joint eighth, having only secured his European Tour card a few days earlier via the qualifying school.
“I started a bit scrappy but after the first few holes I played lovely, hit the ball much better than yesterday and made some good putts,” Manley said.
Miguel Angel Jimenez kept his hopes of a record-equalling fourth title alive despite a disappointing finish to his second round.
Jimenez can join Hsieh Yung-yo, of Taiwan, as a four-time winner of the event after previous wins in 2005, 2008 and 2012, the latter seeing him become the oldest winner in European Tour history aged 48 years and 318 days. A first round of 70 left the veteran Spaniard six shots off the lead, but five birdies in his first six holes and another on the third had Jimenez right back in contention.
However, the 49-year-old then dropped shots at the fifth, ninth and 10th – his final hole after starting at the 11th – to card a 67 and finish three under par.
First round leader, Ireland’s David Higgins, slumped to a 74, 10 shots worse than his opening round, to lie five off the lead on two under.