Hennie du Plessis survived the tough conditions best of the South Africans who made the cut on Friday, with his level-par 72 lifting him to a share of eighth after the second round of the Asian Tour’s International Series Qatar in Doha.
Du Plessis had three birdies and three bogeys on a day in which the wind saw the cut balloon out to six-over-par, plenty of scores in the 80s, and even one 90. At level-par for the tournament, Du Plessis was just five shots off the lead, which was held by Thailand’s Suradit Yongcharoenchai at five-under-par. He led by two from Malaysia’s Ben Leong, while Travis Smyth of Australia and American Andy Ogletree shared third on two-under-par.
Du Plessis shared eighth with, amongst others, Charl Schwartzel, who added a two-over-par 74 to his opening 70.
Yurav Premlall made the cut with a second-round two-over 74 taking him to five-over and a share of 51st. Jbe’ Kruger also made it to the weekend with a second-round 74 taking him to six-under and a share of 62nd.
Darren Fichardt, Justin Harding, Jaco Ahlers, Wilco Nienaber, Ian Snyman, Neil Schietekat and Mathiam Keyser all missed the cut.
