Kanaya keeps title defence pursuit in Oman

Takumi Kanaya produced an improved three-under-par 69 on Friday to keep his title defence bid at the International Series Oman firmly intact.

Kanaya kept bogey at bay and made three birdies at the Al Mouj Golf in Muscat to reach the halfway stage sitting in a share of 15th place on five-under 139.

Mito Pereira of Chile seized the pole position after complimenting his opening 67 with a 66 for 11-under overall, one shot ahead of Matthew Wolff of the United States.

It was the end of the road for four other Japanese representatives, with Jinichiro Kozuma (146), Tatsunori Shogenji (148), and Naoki Sekito (149) all failing to make the cut set at even-par 144, while Hideto Tanihara had withdrawn.

On the DP World Tour, Qatar Masters champion Rikuya Hoshino is the only Japanese to survive the cut at the Magical Kenya Open after he shot a 71 to be tied for 45th on one-under 141 through 36 holes.

Masahiro Kawamura (146) and Kazuki Higa (148) have bitten the dust.

At the Mexico Open in Vidanta, Ryo Hisatsune's even-par 71 was just enough for him to advance to the weekend.

He's tied for 50th on 140, nine shots back of the quartet of leaders which included England's Matt Wallace and home favourite Alvaro Ortiz.