Sharma takes over Kenya Open lead by one stroke

Indian golfer Shubhankar Sharma birdied three of his last four holes to grab a one-shot lead halfway through the Kenya Open on Friday.

A birdie-birdie finish earned him a 4-under-par 67 and a 10-under total at altitude at Muthaiga Club.

Masahiro Kawamura of Japan scored a bogey-free 66 to be 9 under with Ewen Ferguson of Scotland, who made 67.

Thriston Lawrence of South Africa was at 7 under in the European tour event.

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Sharma is going for his third title on tour, just weeks after finishing runner-up at the Abu Dhabi Championship.

“Whenever you finish with two birdies you’re always happy,” he said. "It was quite a slow start for me starting on the back nine, not much was happening for me, but that eagle on the 18th really propelled me.”

First-round leader Daniel Gavins was five shots off the pace.