Zimbabwean Benjamin Follett-Smith had to dig deep on Friday to retain the Fortress Invitational lead, and he did so with a one-over-par 72 for a one-shot lead going into the weekend at Houghton Golf Club.

Follett-Smith led by three shots going into Friday’s second round following a stunning 63 on day one. But he had a far more challenging second round.

After teeing off the 10th, the Zimbabwean professional opened with a birdie which seemed to suggest another strong day ahead.

But five bogeys in the next seven holes dropped him down the field. He recovered himself with a birdie on the ninth and then had a strong second nine featuring three more birdies before another bogey on the seventh for a 72 that was still enough to keep him ahead on seven-under-par overall.

It opened the door for the rest of the field.

Graham van der Merwe, currently in third place on The Courier Guy Order of Merit, signed for a 68 to finish on six-under-par as one of Follett-Smith’s nearest challengers.

Haydn Porteous carded a 69 and Altin van de Merwe, already a winner on tour this year in the FBC Zim Open, added a 67 to see them also finish the day on six-under-par.

And with Austin Bautista, currently second on The Courier Guy Order of Merit and a winner this year in the FNB Eswatini Challenge, just two shots off the lead, it’s going to be a competitive weekend of golf at Houghton Golf Club.

Follett-Smith is hunting his fourth victory this year on the Sunshine Tour after winning the Cell C Challenge in January.