Ryo Hisatsune revealed he is loving life on the DP World Tour after posting the lowest round of the week so far on Friday to climb the 2023 Magical Kenya Open Presented by Absa leaderboard.
The Japanese star produced three separate birdie hat-tricks in his second-round 63 in Nairobi to head into the weekend on nine under par, one shot off the lead.
Hisatsune has enjoyed a fine start to his DP World Tour career since securing his card at the Qualifying School in November.
He announced himself with a joint-second-place finish at the season-opening Fortinet Australian PGA Championship later that month before clinching another top ten in India last time out.
The 20-year-old has put himself in a strong position to claim his first DP World Tour crown this weekend, and he is hoping to keep the nerves at bay.
Hisatsune said: "I’m so happy. I tried to make a lot of birdies, make the putts. I’m so happy.
"I was putting well, the greens are similar in Japan. I can see the reads and make the putts and a lot of birdies.
"I love the Tour. Playing golf around the world - Africa, Europe, Asia. I’m excited to play golf and so happy.
"I’ll be a little more nervous playing this weekend, so I’ll concentrate to keep it sharp. I’ll do my best."
Ryo Hisatsune takes the lead in style 🔥 #MagicalKenyaOpen
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) March 10, 2023
The 20-year-old gave the crowds at Muthaiga Golf Club a glimpse of his immense talent in round two as he opened with three successive birdies from the tenth tee.
After surrendering a bogey on the 14th, Hisatsune bounced back in style, making three more birdies in a row at the 17th, 18th and first.
He then recovered from his second dropped shot at the third with a hat-trick of gains on the fourth, fifth and sixth to lead the way on eight under.
After saving par on the eighth, Hisatsune sent his approach from the rough at the ninth to around eight feet before rolling in the birdie putt to get to nine under.
