There was no catching the leader’s stunning 11-under-par 61 on Friday, but JC Ritchie carded a fine bogey-free seven-under 65 of his own in the second round of the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship.

Ritchie, who is looking increasingly at home on the DP World Tour, started his round on the 10th, and me made the turn with four birdies under his belt. He picked up three more on his way home, and reached eight-under-par for the tournament.

He was in a share of fourth place, eight strokes behind Scotland’s Calum Hill powered his way into a four-shot lead to equal the course record. He was flawless as he rolled in 11 birdies to match the lowest score at the Royal Golf Club, set by Brandon Robinson Thompson during the first round of this event last year, to take control at 16-under.

He was four clear of Germany’s Freddy Schott, who was on 12-under. Ugo Coussaud of France was third at the halfway mark on nine-under, and Ritchie shared fourth with 10 other players.

Amongst those in a share of fourth with him were countrymen Casey Jarvis and Brandon Stone. Jarvis had a second round of seven-under 65 and Stone signed for a four-under 68.

The man who was one of the leading South Africans after the first round with Stone, Hennie du Plessis, carded a three-under 69 and was on seven-under-par in a share of 15th.

Jonathan Broomhead had a good second round of six-under 66 to move to six-under through 36 holes and a share of 22nd. Darren Fichardt was on five-under, and Richard Sterne, Jayden Schaper and Michael Hollick shared 40th on four-under-par.