DP World Tour : BMW International Open Tee Times Leaderboard
Hennie du Plessis made a closing eagle to claim the halfway lead on his own at the BMW International Open and boost his bid for a maiden DP World Tour title.
The South African held a share of the first-round lead after a flawless -8 64 but patience was all important in the early stages of his second round.
It wasn't until the 11th that he made his first birdie of the day, before a strong finish saw him card a 69 to reach -11 and hold a one-shot lead at Golfclub München Eichenried.
Countryman Michael Hollick, Mexico's Carlos Ortiz and England's Jack Senior are his closest challengers in Germany, where the final event of the DP World Tour's European Swing is taking place.
"I think I'm comfortable with my game," said Du Plessis. "I don't necessarily say I'm comfortable around this golf course. I think it's very demanding.
"You need to drive it well. Obviously putt well [too]. It's hard to say that I'm feeling comfortable. I think I'm just comfortable with my game at the moment.
"It's fun. I haven't been in contention since the Joburg Open and [Investec] SA Open, so it's been a good nine to ten weeks since that.
"I'm very excited to be in the mix. It's a pleasure to be in the mix on the DP World Tour, so I'm very happy and grateful."
DP World Tour rookie Hollick struggled in the early stages of his second round, bogeying two of his opening three holes.
From the fifth to the tenth, he mixed two birdies with two bogeys to sit at four under but six birdies across his final eight holes saw him come home in 31 to card a 68 to go along with his opening 66 and reach -10
Already at that mark was Ortiz, who playing in the first group of the day off the tenth tee, carded a second consecutive 67 that featured seven birdies and one bogey at the par three eighth.
Late in the day, Senior, who is without a top 20 to his name so far this season, surged into contention with a flawless 65 that featured an eagle at the par five sixth.
Brad Dalke, a junior prodigy turned YouTube golf star playing on a tournament invite this week, is in a four-way group at -9 alongside English duo Paul Waring and Joe Dean and France's Frederic Lacroix.
Just seven shots separate leader Du Plessis and those that made the cut at -4, who include home favourite Freddy Schott after a dramatic final-hole eagle.
Race to Dubai Rankings leader Patrick Reed, defending champion Daniel Brown and recent back-to-back winner on Tour Eugenio Chacarra are among those to miss the weekend.
europeantour.com
Bryan Angus (edit)
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