Aldrich Potgieter improved by 11 strokes on Friday as he carded a five-under-par 66 in the second round of the PGA Tour’s Baycurrent Classic at Yokohama Country Club in Japan.

After his opening 77 left him looking likely to miss the cut, his 66 took him to one-over-par for the tournament, a share of 61st, and a gig for the weekend – even though he will be starting the third round 12 strokes off the lead.

Up front, Keith Mitchell and first-round leader Jacob Bridgeman shared the lead at 11-under-par after rounds of six-under 65 and three-under 68 respectively. They were two clear of four players in a share of third on nine-under-par. They were Ben Kohles who had a nine-under 62, the low round of the day, Mac Meissner (68), Max Homa (68) and Zach Bauchou (64).

Japan’s top star, Hideki Matsuyama, shot a one-over 72 and was eight shots off the lead at three-under. Defending champion Xander Schauffele carded a 69 and was also eight shots back.

Things initially looked bleak for Potgieter after he started his second round on the 10th, as he bogeyed the 16th and 17th. But he turned it on after the turn, making three birdies in a row, and eagle on the fourth, and two more birdies on the fifth and sixth.

Christiaan Bezuidenhout made a bogey in each nine, with three birdies on the front nine and two on the back nine giving him a second consecutive three-under 68. At six-under, he was in a share of 13th.