Drysdale holds narrow Joburg lead

SECOND ROUND LEADERBOARD:
-11 D Drysdale (Sco) -10 O Bekker (SA), M Hoey (NI) -9 D Willett (Eng), A McLardy (SA).
Selected others: -8 R McEvoy (Eng) -7 J Morrison (Eng) -5 R Sterne

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David Drysdale shot a second round score of 66 in South Africa

Scotland's David Drysdale holds a one shot lead at the midway point of the Joburg Open after a second round of 66.

Drysdale followed his first round of 65 with a five under par second round, including five birdies, to end the day on eleven under.

In joint second place, one shot back, are South Africa's Oliver Bekker and Northern Ireland's Michael Hoey.

Englishman Danny Willett is a shot further behind along with South Africa's Andrew McLardy.

Thunder and lightning forced a halt in play before the action resumed later in the day, and Bekker felt conditions improved scoring on the second day.

It wasn't as hot as it was on Thursday and the ball wasn't flying as far. The greens were also a little firmer Oliver Bekker

"It wasn't as hot as it was on Thursday and the ball wasn't flying as far. The greens were also a little firmer," he said.

Drysdale, recorded five birdies at the second, fourth, seventh and ninth in a front nine of 32 with a further birdie at the 15th for a 34 coming home.

Hoey parred his opening 11 holes before a birdie at the 12th started a run of three gains in four holes, eventually finishing with a round of 68.

Local favourite and defending champion Richard Sterne, who is seeking a third straight win on the European Tour, moved to within five shots of the lead after carding a second round 66.

Joint first round leaders Trevor Fisher and Steven Jeppeson, who had both scored 63 on the opening day, found the going much harder on Friday with second round scores of 79 and 76 respectively.