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Oosthuizen and Harding looking strong at Masters

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Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa plays a shot on the fifth hole during the second round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on Friday. He is still on course for the title or at least a good finish. Picture: David Cannon / Getty Images
Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa plays a shot on the fifth hole during the second round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on Friday. He is still on course for the title or at least a good finish. Picture: David Cannon / Getty Images

South Africans Louis Oosthuizen and Justin Harding looked strong as the Masters tournament headed into the weekend at the Augusta National Golf Club.

Oosthuizen shot a 66 in Friday’s second round to share the overall lead on seven-under for the tournament with Brooks Koepka, Adam Scott, Francesco Molinari and Jason Day, while Harding and three others are a shot behind.

The 2010 Open champion Oosthuizen, who has also finished runner-up at all four majors, said he was looking forward to Saturday, which is traditionally called moving day at the majors.

“I just need a decent, solid round tomorrow [Saturday]. [The key is to] not play yourself out of it, just stay in touch with everyone. This golf course, you win it on the back nine on Sunday. We’ve seen it over the years, anything can happen on the back nine.

“I think tomorrow is a day when you just really want to produce some good shots, not try too much and play yourself out of the tournament. You just want to have a decent round and then Sunday you can make the decision on a lot of holes whether you want to be very aggressive or not.”

Harding, who is playing in his first Masters, seemed on course to also finish the round on seven-under, but again bogeyed the 18th to repeat his three-under 69 from the first round.

“I really like the 18th hole. At least the walk up the fairway,” he joked with reporters after his round.

“In a way I am quite happy that I did not shoot a par on the last. This way at least I don’t have to stress overnight about being first. And hopefully I will be able to have a good sleep without worrying.”

Harding said he did not find it easy to play on the front nine. “It was a struggle. It was not a flawless round of golf, but I am satisfied. It was a nice day, I enjoyed myself and hopefully there is more to come.”

Starting on the 12th, Harding birdied four holes in a row. “That really gave me confidence and I always said to myself looking at the score board that I was there or thereabouts without kicking in on the front nine.”

He admitted that he had looked at the scoreboard throughout. “I watched it the whole way around. Look, it is my first time here and my name is on the scoreboard, so I am going to be looking at it.”

Oosthuizen and Harding will be joined in the third round by 2007 champion Trevor Immelman and Brendan Grace.

Immelman shot a par round 72 to make the cut for the first time since 2013 on two-over, while Grace is a shot behind.

There was disappointment for amateur Jovan Rebula, who shot a seven-over to lie eight-over for the tournament, while Charl Schwartzel parred the second round, but missed the cut on five-over.

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