Heritage Resorts -  Louis Oosthuizen heads into the weekend of the Mauritius Open only three shots off the lead and still looking for the really low round he believes has eluded him up until now on the Heritage Golf Club course.

READ: Frittelli eagle puts him within striking range

The 2010 Open champion signed for a 68 on Friday, lifting him to seven-under-par and chasing the 10-under-par lead of India's Arjun Atwal.

The 44-year-old Atwal followed up his course record 62 in the first round with a 70.

Atwal leads by a single stroke over South Africans Dylan Frittelli and Louis de Jager and England's Laurie Canter.

But it's Oosthuizen they'll all be keeping an eye on as the world No 22 has managed to keep himself well in contention despite not yet feeling settled on the greens.

"I'm happy to be three behind with the way I've been playing. There's a lot of golf left on the weekend. There are definitely low numbers out there if you can roll the ball well. Today I just seemed to not be able to see the lines as well. I had a lot of opportunities and didn't make any," he said.

He remains as relaxed as ever about his chances of a win on debut in this tri-sanctioned tournament between the Sunshine, European and Asian Tours.

"I'm having a great time with the family. Everyone is here. We'll go to the pool now, relax a bit, and tomorrow off we go again," he said after his round.

Further down the leaderboard, Thailand's Suttijet Kooratanapisan equaled Atwal's course record with his own 62 on Friday, which saw him reach the halfway stage of the tournament at four-under-par.