France’s Frédéric Lacroix carded a bogey-free, 8-under 62 to move into a share of the lead at 13-under at the Magical Kenya Open presented by absa.

“I’m super happy about today. I made a couple of good putts and it was just a solid round off the tee with no mistakes,” said Lacroix.

“This morning was a bit colder, a bit more humid, so the ball is not going to travel that much. Yesterday evening was very hot and dry, and there’s a few out there that are going to be bad – you just hit it and it never stops.

“It’s one of those where if you miss a shot off the tee, you get in trouble very quickly. I think it’s more managing some holes you can be aggressive, sometimes you can’t, especially with different pins. If you live in the middle of the fairway, you’re going to be alright.”

Overnight leader Casey Jarvis of South Africa made eight birdies and two bogeys for a 65 and retains a share of the lead at the halfway mark.

“I think just sticking to the game plan was important out there,” said Jarvis. “A lot of drivers, trying to stay really aggressive off the tee and taking advantage of that.

“The ball flew a little shorter in the morning but the game plan was the same – to be aggressive, and that’s pretty much what I did.

“It’s nice putting myself into these positions. Obviously, I get more comfortable with it. I’ve had two wins on the Sunshine Tour [last November’s Hyundai Open and Vodacom Origins of Golf], so I kind of know what the feeling is now.”

Portugal’s Ricardo Gouveia shot a bogey-free 65 and is tied in third place at 11-under alongside Spain’s Ángel Ayora who made two bogeys for a 65 and South African Hennie du Plessis whose 61 featured four consecutive birdies from the 2nd and two bogeys.

Kenya’s Njoroge Kibugu made an eagle at the par-5 18th, one birdie and two bogeys to close with a 69 and make the cut at 5-under.

Shot of the day. Shot of the week. Shot of his life!

Njoroge Kibugu needed a birdie at the 18th hole to make the cut and did THIS.#MKO2026 pic.twitter.com/r2Gu6kYLn1

— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) February 20, 2026

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