Magical Kenya Open: Change of Guard as Lacroix and Jarvis Share Lead After Thrilling Second Round

Frenchman Frederic Lacroix and South Africa's Casey Jarvis are tied for the lead at the halfway point of the Magical Kenya Open, setting the stage for an exciting weekend at the DP World Tour event.

Following two rounds of play, both golfers sit at an impressive 13-under-par. Lacroix followed up his opening round of 5-under 65 with a stellar performance on Friday to climb to the top of the leaderboard.

Jarvis, meanwhile, posted a 5-under 65 in his second round to build on his remarkable 8-under 62 from Thursday, securing his spot as co-leader.

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Reflecting on his performance on the par-70 course, the 22-year-old Jarvis attributed his success to a clear and aggressive strategy.

“I think just sticking to the game plan was important out there," he said as per Capital Sports. "A lot of drivers, trying to stay really aggressive off the tee and taking advantage of that. The ball flew a little shorter in the morning, but the game plan was the same – to be aggressive, and that’s pretty much what I did.”

Still searching for his first victory on the DP World Tour, Jarvis remains focused on the task ahead and is drawing on past experiences to stay grounded.

“It’s nice putting myself into these positions. Obviously, I get more comfortable with it," he noted. "I’ve had two wins on the Sunshine Tour, so I kind of know what the feeling is now.”

Lacroix, 30, explained that his familiarity with the local conditions helped him navigate the challenges presented by the Kenyan weather.

“This morning was a bit colder, a bit more humid, so the ball is not going to travel that much," he said. "Yesterday evening was very hot and dry... We know it, it’s not my first time in Kenya. You just know it’s going to happen, and you prepare for it.”

The Frenchman was pleased with the state of the course and his error-free play.

“I’m super happy about today. I made a couple of good putts and it was just a solid round off the tee with no mistakes,” Lacroix commented.

“It’s one of those [courses] where if you miss a shot off the tee, you get in trouble very quickly. I think it’s more about managing some holes you can be aggressive on, and sometimes you can’t, especially with different pins. If you live in the middle of the fairway, you’re going to be alright.”