Kaleigh Telfer kept herself right in the hunt on Friday with a second-round four-under-par 68 in the Epson Tour’s Copper Rock Championship in Hurricane, Utah which kept her in second place heading into the weekend.

Telfer moved to 12-under for the tournament, two shots off the lead which was held by Fiona Xu of New Zealand. The South African was four clear of Alena Sharp of Canada who alone in third on eight-under-par.

Telfer completed her front nine before the wind picked up, and she capitalised on the opportunity. The South African posted a four-under 32, sinking a birdie just off the back of the green on 18 before making the turn. The second nine for Telfer was a test of survival, and she passed with flying colours. She played the last nine holes of the day even-par, positioning herself just two shots behind Xu with one round to play.

“I actually had a little bit of a rocky start. Didn’t hit the ball very well on the first couple of holes but managed to make a few putts, and that just gave me the confidence,” said Telfer. “I knew it was going to be tough this afternoon and just hit fairways and greens. I knew I was putting well enough to make a couple if I did that. It was just boring golf, which I came here to do today.”

Xu posted a nine-under 63, a score that tied the tournament record.