Paul Chidale among three Monday qualifiers for Magical Kenya Open presented by absa

Paul Chidale made more history for Malawi as he fired a brilliant round of 71 in the second round of Monday qualifying to surge up the leaderboard and seal a place in the field at this week's Magical Kenya Open presented by absa.

The 34-year-old became the first Malawian to play on the DP World Tour when he was handed an invite into the same event three years ago but looked unlikely to be returning to Muthaiga Golf Club after an opening 79 at nearby VetLab Sports Club.

But he made two birdies and a single bogey in his second 18 holes to record the only under par round of the day and take the second qualifying spot at six over.

"I am too excited to be part of the players that are going to play this year's Kenya Open," he said. "This is my second time to play this tournament."

Chidale finished a shot behind Uganda's Willy Deus, who carded rounds of 76-73 and will now be looking to follow in the footsteps of countryman Ronald Rugumayo, who became the first Ugandan to make a DP World Tour cut 12 months ago.

"It's been a stressful week but finally we made it the hard way," he said. "It means a lot to me being a DP World Tour event. We have work ahead of us but we are going to go do it."

Nigeria's Sunday Olapade was among the early pacesetters with an opening 74 and when he made a hat-trick of birdies from the seventh to turn in 35 in round two, he was firmly in control of his own destiny.

But a trio of bogeys to start the back nine and a double on the 14th had him clinging on as he played his final four holes in level par and signed for a 76, holding off the challenge of countryman and fellow first-round leader Gift Willy.

"I've played Safari Tour for so many years it is my dream come true to play on the DP World Tour," said Olapade. "It's a real ambition for me having been in Rwanda last week and missed the cut over there but I was encouraged to come over and play this qualifier. I've qualified so I'm happy."