Kingston leads, Shark bites

Home player sets pace, but Great White Shark steals show

Last updated: 14th December 2007

James Kingston d4Scan

Kingston: Setting pace

Second round leaders:
(SA unless stated)
J Kingston -2
A McLardy -1
K Sullivan (Wal) -1

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Home player James Kingston fired a 69 to claim the halfway lead at the South African Open, but arguably the real story of the day was the performance of Greg Norman.

The Australian veteran, 52, ensured he heads into the weekend with every chance of challenging after a second round of 70 that leaves him on one over - three shots back of the lead in a tie for sixth.

Joining Norman on that mark is Ulsterman Darren Clarke, who produced a consistent round of 73 to keep himself in contention and also first-round leader Robert Rock who followed his opening 70 with a 75.

The leading Briton is Wales' Kyron Sullivan who carded a 71 to sit in a tie for second on one under with Andrew McLardy.

Overall, it proved another day when low scores were at a premium, although a number of big names remain within striking distance.

Amongst them are a host of high-profile South Africans including Richard Sterne (two over), Charl Schwartzel (three over), Retief Goosen (four over) and Tim Clark (four over).

Els back in the mix

Also right back in the mix is Ernie Els, who bounced back from his disappointing 77 on day one with a 70.

Things had not started auspiciously for the Big Easy as he dropped back to seven over early on after bogeying his opening two holes, but back-to back birdies at six and seven and 14 and 15 moved him up to three over by the end of his second round.

However, that is still five shots back of compatriot Kingston, whose 69 included an eagle and two birdies.

The 42-year-old was another to drop a shot at the second, but he responded in ideal fashion with a three at the par-five third and did not then drop another shot with his birdies coming at 14 and 16.

He admitted afterwards that conditions at Paarl had once again proved highly testing, stating: "The wind was really strong.

"You could see when you put the ball down, it was oscillating and it's not just that. You always got the wind, especially when it's from behind, pushing you and you spending so much energy to try and stand still.

"Especially on those delicate shots, it's so tough to make a decent stroke.

"But in saying that, I played really solid today. It was really a good outing for the conditions."

Scotland's Euan Little sits two back of the leader on level-par after a second successive 72.

Little shares fourth spot with another South African, Ulrich Van den Berg, who added a 73 to his first-round 71.

The best round of the day came from emerging Dutchman Joost Luiten who finished fourth at last week's Alfred Dunhill Championship.

The youngster looked to be on his way home after an 82 on Thursday, but dragged himself back up to five over with a sizzling 67 that featured no fewer than six birdies.

There were still plenty of high scores knocking around once again including a 79 for Englishman Ross Fisher, but Rory McIlroy added some respectability to his efforts with a 74, although the Northern Irish teenager will not be back for the weekend having finished at 13 over following his opening 83.