Ryo Hisatsune shot an 8-under 63 to take the lead after the second round of the Magical Kenya Open on Friday, erasing John Catlin and Dylan Mostert’s first-round lead in brilliant fashion.

American Catlin and South Africa’s Mostert shared the first-round lead at the European Tour event after beginning with impressive 64s yesterday.

But the Japanese golfer Hisatsune moved up the leaderboard with five birdies on the front nine before shooting another five on the final nine holes. He's at 9 under for the tournament.

He took advantage of the brilliant weather conditions with barely a breath of wind on the sun-drenched Muthaiga course to pile up the ten birdies though he rued two bogeys.

Catlin shares second spot with four others; Lukas Nemecz (68), Gavin Green (69), Craig Howie (67) and Marcus Armitage (68). They are all three shots off the lead.

German Maximilian Kieffer was in contention after shooting a 67 on Thursday, but faded with a 1-over 72 on Friday.

Mutahi Kibugu continues to lead the local charge and indeed is the only Kenyan that remains inside of the projected cut after an electric start on Thursday where he finished 18th (68).

A shaky opening in the second round saw him make two bogeys on Nos. 1 and 6 but his two birdies on the opening seven keep him in the mix.