James Kingston recorded a round of 67 to share the lead at the MCB Tour Championship – Mauritius and put pressure on Staysure Tour Order of Merit leader Phillip Price with 18 holes left to play of the season.
If he is to lift the John Jacobs Trophy, the South African needs to win at Constance Belle Mare Plage and hope Price, who has topped the Order of Merit since October, finishes in tenth place or below.
The two-time European Tour winner, who is looking for his first Staysure Tour title, joined overnight leader Jean-François Remesy at the top of the leaderboard at the end of day two following his five under par round.
Remesy added to his opening round of 66 with a three under par 69 as he goes in search for his second over 50s title in 2019, having won the inaugural Farmfoods European Legends Links Championship hosted by Ian Woosnam in June.
Kingston began day two as hot as the Mauritian sun, birdieing his opening four holes to charge up the leaderboard. A further gain during the front nine came at the par three seventh to reach the turn in 31 strokes.
Remesy, meanwhile, kept pace by recording a three under par front nine and when Kingston birdied the tenth, the Frenchman responded with gains at the 11th and 13th. With the pair dropping shots on the way to the clubhouse, they both ended the day at nine under par, three strokes clear of the chasing pack.
“I played nicely and came out of the blocks firing,” said Kingston. “I got off to a really fast start and was six under through ten. I expected to do a little bit more from there but didn’t, which is a little bit disappointing, but at the end of the day I’m five under par for the day, nine under par total and right up there going into tomorrow.
“I’ve got to do what I need to do and Pricey has got to do what he needs to do. It is almost like we’re playing two different tournaments. My job is to play as well as I possibly can and put numbers on the board, then I’ll see what happens after that.”
“It was trickier than yesterday,” Remesy said. “I missed one shot and made double bogey on 14. Aside from that it was a consistent round.
“I would be delighted if I could win my second tournament of the year. I’ve finished second three times this year, so a second win to end the season would be great. It’s going to be very interesting tomorrow.
A group of three players, including England’s David Shacklady, Steen Tinning of Denmark and Spaniard Martin Angel Martin, occupy third place at six under par, three strokes off the lead.
Welshman Price, meanwhile, signed for a round of 68, four under par, to end round two in a tie for sixth place, alongside Clark Dennis and Jarmo Sandelin, maintaining his position at the top of the Order of Merit with 18 holes left to play of the season.
The final round of the season-finale, MCB Tour Championship – Mauritius, will get under way at 8:30am local time with Kingston and Remesy teeing off at 11:15am local time.
