Erik van Rooyen stayed in touch on Friday with a one-under-par 70 in the second round of the Amgen Irish Open at the tough Royal County Down Golf Club in Northern Ireland giving him a share of seventh after 36 holes.
Van Rooyen finished with a pair of bogeys on the 17th and 18th, and he also had two dropped shots on the front nine. He made five birdies, and was three shots off the lead which was held by Italy’s Matteo Manassero at six-under. Manassero had two eagles in his five-under-par 66, and led by one from English duo Laurie Canter and Todd Clements. Rory McIlroy was a shot back in a share of fourth on four-under-par.
Jaco Prinsloo also kept himself in contention for a strong finish with his second successive one-under-par 70 taking him to a share of 13th on two-under-par.
After a solid opening round, Thriston Lawrence continued to look a little out of sorts, and he had a three-over 74 to slip to level-par for 36 holes and a share of 33rd.
Brandon Stone also had a second-round 74, and he was on one-over in a share of 47th. Casey Jarvis also signed for a 74 and he made the cut on the number at two-over in a share of 61st.
Darren Fichardt, Ockie Strydom, Louis de Jager, Justin Harding, Jayden Schaper and Jacques Kruyswijk all missed the cut.
