Fox extends lead as Irish duo miss cut

New Zealand's Ryan Fox extended his lead in the Ras Al Khaimah Classic, despite seeing his share of the course record last just 24 hours.

Fox added a second round of 69 to his opening 63 at Al Hamra Golf Club to post a halfway total of 12 under par, three shots clear of a six-strong chasing pack.

Included in that pack was South Africa’s Oliver Bekker, who set a new course record with a stunning 62 which featured an eagle, nine birdies and a solitary bogey.

Fox, who made six birdies and three bogeys in his 69, said: "It was a bit scrappier than yesterday, I didn’t drive it quite as well.

"It was a little sloppy hitting it in the water on the last, that doesn’t help, but I hit my irons really good and gave myself plenty of chances.

"I made six birdies today so hopefully I can just keep it going the next couple of days, but it’s been a lot of fun out there."

Bekker looked set for a battle to make the cut following an opening 73, but surged through the field at a venue where he finished tied ninth last week in the Ras Al Khaimah Championship.

"After yesterday’s start I knew I had to go low today so I kind of had nothing to lose," the 37-year-old said. "Then I left one short from 12 feet on my first hole (the 10th) and I thought, 'Oh my word, you need to get it going’.

"Then I managed to make a nice putt on 12 for birdie, then on 13 I made birdie and another nice putt for eagle on 14 and that really got me going. From there I just kept the momentum.

"I just need to keep on doing what I’ve been doing. Last week I had a good chance of finishing top three probably and just fell away in the final round."

Alongside Bekker on nine under par are fellow South Africans Justin Harding and Zander Lombard, along with Italy’s Francesco Laporta,