Asian Tour rookie MJ Viljoen took the surprise second-round lead in the Mandiri Indonesia Open thanks to a stunning 10-under-par 62 at Pondok Indah Golf Course in Jakarta.

The South African, playing in his fourth Asian Tour event, made an eagle and eight birdies to go to 14-under for the $500,000 event, and take a one-shot lead over Thailand’s Nitithorn Thippong, who carded a 65.

Canadian Richard T Lee fired a 66 and is a shot further back.

A total of 66 players, including one local amateur, survived the halfway cut set at two-under-par at the Mandiri Indonesia Open 2023.

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“I think I was in a zone today you know. I didn’t really think I was gonna go that low,” said Viljoen, who started on 10 and was playing in the last group out. “I think that was my personal best today, by one, so it just kind of happened. I was doing my thing and when I got off the course it was plenty of birdies.

“I think I was just focused on doing my thing and following my process. So, you know, kind of lost count [of the birdies] and just did my thing, and you know, it was a good day.”

As preferred lies were being played his round could not officially count among the lowest scores on the course.

The 27-year-old is a two-time winner in South Africa and turned professional in 2014.

In a tie for fourth, four behind pace-setter Viljoen, are first-round leader Sarit Suwannarut (70) from Thailand, Chinese-Taipei’s Chang Wei-lun (68), Scott Hend (69) from Australia, and Korean Doyeob Mun (70).

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