Ray of hope for debuting Harish despite disappointing Open for Kenyans

Shashwat Harish called playing alongside DP World Tour professionals in front of bumper home crowds at the age of 15 'a big motivation' after firing a second-round 72 at the Magical Kenya Open.

Kenyan amateur Harish, who was born in 2010, is a member at Muthaiga Golf Club and received excellent support from the locals on Friday afternoon.

After opening with a 74 on Thursday, Harish mixed six birdies with two double bogeys and three bogeys in the company of Jannik De Bruyn and Joel Moscatel on day two.

Harish, who was being supported by Shubhankar Sharma during his second round, said: "It's exhilarating. Just the adrenaline is amazing."

He continued, "These types of events come very rarely here and actually playing with the best in the world; I mean it's hard to explain but just the experience of being with them is amazing.

I was surprised at how much support I got and how many people watched. Definitely some added pressure but just seeing them supporting really helped me through it."

An excited Harish told DP World Tour that seeing his home course in such great condition was another amazing part of playing in the Open.

"Even my caddie is 15, so we were on the range and just seeing how these guys that we watch on TV hit the ball and the strike, and how all these guys play is next level

My biggest lesson of the week is that my short game, chipping and putting is just as good as theirs and definitely mentally I'm able to take the pressure.

But I do need to get my ball-striking up there, just the consistency of my swing and get in the gym a bit more. Just seeing how huge these guys are is amazing," he added.

Mariga tips Harambee Stars midfielder to flourish in Champions League after multi-million move in Europe

The teenage golfer who has dominated the junior golf championship in Kenya says this is a big motivation.

"I came into this tournament with the goal of evolving as a golfer and I think I have done that. And definitely I want to be on Tour and it's going to be so much fun," the youngster concluded.

After two rounds of golf, 67 professionals made cut. Englishman John Parry went six under par 65 to establish a shot lead (-14) over French national Benjamin Hebert.

South African Jayden Schaper (-9) and Swedish Christofer Blomstrand (-8) started the money rounds in third and fourth respectively.

Despite getting more slots for this year's Open, Riz Charania was Kenya's top-placed golfer in 93rd, finishing the two rounds with +3 to miss cut.