Kitayama Keeping His Cool In Mauritius

Kurt Kitayama will stick with what has served him well as he goes into the weekend at the Mauritius Open with a two-shot lead.

The European Tour rookie fired a second straight 65 on Friday at Four Seasons GC, recovering from a double-bogey at the second to move to 14-under after 36 holes.

Second place is occupied by India’s Seenappa Chikkarangappa on 12-under after he backed up his opening 64 with a 68, while the French duo of Victor Perez and Matthieu Pavon share third.

Further back, defending champion Dylan Frittelli and course designer Ernie Els are amongst those tied for 25th, while past European Tour winners Gregory Bourdy, Oliver Wilson and Richard Sterne missed the cut.

All eyes will be on Kitayama heading into the weekend but despite his unfamiliar position, the American appears relaxed. “I started with a birdie and then just had a little blunder at two,” he said.

“I got back on track right after so it was nice to bounce back after a double. I’m driving it well which is making it a lot easier. It’s a pretty big advantage to be able to hit shorter irons in.

“I’m feeling pretty comfortable, and I’ll stay the same over the weekend, still be aggressive. It’s gone well so far so don’t want to switch things up too much.”