Summary Ross McGowan claimed a three-shot lead at the halfway stage of the Joburg Open on Friday.
JOHANNESBURG (AFP) - England s Ross McGowan claimed a three-shot lead at the halfway stage of the Joburg Open on Friday after a remarkable second round of 62.
McGowan shot his nine-under-par round on the par-71 West Course at the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club, with four birdies and a bogey on the front nine being followed by an explosive inward nine that featured two eagles and two more birdies.
Behind him is a group of four players on 11 under par comprised of South African duo Jean Hugo and Haydn Porteous, England s Antony Wall and Felipe Aguilar of Chile.
Wall shot a five-under-par 67 on the tougher East Course while Hugo and Aguilar enjoyed six-under-par rounds of 65 on the West Course, where Porteous went round in 66.
Johan Carlsson of Sweden and Stuart Manley of Wales are a further shot back at 10 under.
McGowan, who finished fifth at the Qualifying School last year to regain his card after injuries stalled his career, impressed with a 67 on the East Course on Thursday and he went out in front on Friday in large part thanks to an eagle at the par-four 12th and another at the long 15th.
"I holed a wedge at 12 today which was nice and then I hit two great shots into the par five, so I had 15-20 feet there for eagle and managed to hole that one as well," the 33-year-old former Madrid Masters winner told www.europeantour.com.
In a tournament that has seen players play a round each on two different courses over the first two days, there is extra incentive for the field with three places available at this year s British Open at Troon to players who finish in the top 10 and are not already exempt.
One man who is already exempt is Ernie Els, the two-time former British Open champion, who had a two-under-par round of 70 on the East Course to sit just the right side of the cut at three under.
First-round leader Justin Walters of South Africa is in a tie for eighth on nine under par after following his opening 65 on the East Course with a two-under 69 on the West Course.
