In-form Sharma leads EPGA's Kenya Open

Shubhankar Sharma is the new frontrunner midway through the Kenya Open, with the Indian making birdies on three of his last four holes to grab a one-shot lead.

A birdie-birdie finish earned him a four-under-par 67 and a 10-under total at Muthaiga Club in Nairobi on Friday.

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

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

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 is five shots off the pace.

Australia's Blake Windred is tied 27th, seven shots behind Sharma.