Fisher flies into lead with two eagles

EAST LONDON, South Africa, Jan. 8 (UPI) -- Trevor Fisher Jr. had a pair of eagles Friday that carried him to a 1-stroke lead halfway through the European PGA Tour's Africa Open in South Africa.

Fisher, ranked No. 707 in the world, Friday had a second consecutive 7-under-par 66 for a 36-hole total of 132 and is just ahead of Patrik Sjoland, who posted a 67 in the second round. Thomas Aiken and Keith Horne are tied for third at 12-under 134. Klas Eriksson matched Fisher's 66 Friday and jumped from 40th place into a four-way tie for fifth at 10-under.

Fisher, playing in his native South Africa, opened Friday's round by making a 30-foot eagle putt at the 495-yard, par-5 first hole and followed that with a birdie at the par-3 second. For the second consecutive round he had consecutive birdies at Nos. 6-8 but sagged back with a bogey at the ninth hole.

He hit a 2-iron within 5 feet at the 527-yard 11th hole and knocked in the putt for his second eagle. He gave back a stroke at the 13th but got back to 7-under on the round with a birdie at 17.