Dubai: Takumi Kanaya, one of Japan’s most exciting young prospects, bravely battled blustery conditions to shoot a one under par 71 second round to lead the $2 million International Series — Oman on the Asian Tour.

His fellow countryman Ryo Hisatsune is also well placed, sitting one shot back following a 70.

The Japanese duo were the only two to break par in both opening rounds.

Less wind early on was soon replaced by wind speeds close to 30 kmph, which blew much of the field off course — in what is the second event of the season on the Asian Tour and the first of 10 International Series tournaments.

“Today was a tough day, the breeze was very strong. But yeah, I’m feeling great, I shot 71 and that’s good score,” said Kanaya.

The 24 year-old turned professional two years ago after a sensational amateur career, which saw him ranked the No 1 Amateur in the world for 55 weeks, during which time he won the Mitsui Sumitomo Visa Taiheiyo Masters on the Japan Tour. He has since triumphed twice on that Tour as a professional, most noticeably at the prestigious Dunlop Phoenix in 2020.

He traded four birdies against three bogeys, while Hisatsune made six birdies and four bogeys.

Dubai-based Indian Shiv Kapur shot a second round 74 to be two over par for 36 holes in tied 24th place.

Kapur, on completing his round, said: “It was a much stronger wind today. It was an up and down round for me. I double bogeyed 14 (my fifth hole), when I went to tap in from one foot and missed. But I was proud of how I finished as I played the last four holes in two under. My iron play, normally a strength of mine, was not what it should have been, but I move positively onto Saturday and Sunday.”

No one in the field broke 70 in the second round, with 11 players in the field under par for two rounds.

The cut fell at six over par with 78 players making the mark.

Second round leaders (Par 72, 7,438 Yards).

T. Kanaya (Japan) 69. 71. 140.R. Hisatsune (Japan) 71. 70. 141.B. Henson (US) 69. 73. 142.J. Niemann (Chile) 72. 70. 142.Y. Shin (Can) 66. 76. 142.Z. Murray (Aus) 70. 72. 142.

Other Notables:

S. Kaewkanjana (Thai) 67. 76. 143.G. McDowell (NI) 73. 72. 145.B. Grace (RSA) 74. 73. 147.

Missed Cut:

L. Oosthuizen (RSA) 71. 81. 152.B. Koepka (US) 74. 78. 152.C. Schwartzel (RSA) 75. 78. 153.