Nick Bachem takes one-shot lead heading into the weekend in South Africa

Nick Bachem started his round on the back nine and produced eight birdies, including four in a row from the 5th, and two bogeys to close with a 66 and a one-shot lead at 13-under in the Jonsson Workwear Open.

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“My chipping and putting is amazing the first two rounds,” said the German.

“Yesterday I was hitting the ball so bad, I can’t remember when I hit my irons so bad, but I made every pitch close to the hole, every up and down, holed every putt inside four or five metres, so after the round I was pretty shocked about the seven under!

“Today I felt like I played much better but I didn’t hole all the putts, then on the back nine they went in and it was pretty nice.

“It’s awesome, I was right up there in Kenya two weeks ago (starting 66-67 at the Magical Kenya Open Presented by Absa), it didn’t go how I wanted but I learned a lot (which will put) me in a better position mentally for the next two rounds.”

France’s Romain Langasque signed for a 64 that featured five birdies, two eagles at the par-5s 3rd and 16th and a single bogey at the par-4 2nd. He is tied in second place at 12-under with Finland’s Sami Välimäki who carded a 65.

“It was a good round, 64 today, eight under,” said Langasque. “Yesterday was actually even better on the long game but I just couldn’t make a putt, today the putting was very solid so that made a big difference.

“This is a golf course where there are so many birdie opportunities. There are a few pin positions where you have to stay away but there are a few par-fives that are playing short, the fairways are quite wide and for me, the biggest thing is the greens are very good and soft so you can be really offensive.

“We know it’s going to be around 20, 22 under to win the tournament, so it’s only halfway and we need to continue in this way.”

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Fellow Finn Kalle Samooja (65) lies in a share of fourth place at 11-under alongside Malaysia’s Gavin Green (67), Germany’s Marcel Schneider (65), France‘s Julien Brun (66) and South Africa’s Ockie Strydom (64) and Martin Vorster who held a share of the lead overnight and closed with a 69.

South Africa‘s Darren Fichardt who shared the overnight lead carded a 72 and slipped down into T21 at 8-under.