Branden Grace got things together on Friday in the second round of the ZOZO Championship at Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club in Chiba, Japan with a four-under-par 66 lifting him to a share of 14th.
On a tough day with often steady rain showers and in cold conditions, Grace made four birdies without dropping a shot to go with his opening two-over-par 72 to find himself six shots off the lead held by local star and Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama on eight-under. Matsuyama had a one-shot lead over American Cameron Tringale, with Matt Wallace of England and Brendan Steele of the US sharing third on six-under.
Also on two-under in a share of 14th was Erik van Rooyen, who posted his second-successive one-under 69, this time with four birdies and three bogeys.
Shaun Norris carded a two-over 72 to slip to level-par for the tournament and a share of 30th in the 78-man field. Garrick Higgo slumped to an eight-over 78 in his second round, is eight-under for the tournament and in a share of 72nd.
Zimbabwean Scott Vincent, who, like Norris, is in the field through his heroics on the Japan Golf Tour, had a 73 to go with his opening 72, At five-under, he’s in a share of 66th.
