Friday 29 November 2019 18:32, UK
Pablo Larrazabal opened up a three-shot lead at the Alfred Dunhill Championship, as Branden Grace's steady start continued in South Africa.
Larrazabal followed up an opening-round 66 with a three-under 69 in hot and windy conditions at Leopard Creek Golf Club, giving the Spaniard a commanding advantage over Grace and overnight leader Wil Besseling.
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English duo Jack Singh Brar and Marcus Armitage are in a share of fourth spot on four under alongside Thomas Aiken, while Eddie Pepperell - the highest-ranked player in the field - is in the group nine off the lead.
It was a good job," said Larrazabal, one of the few players not to take advantage of the European Tour's decision to allow golfers to wear shorts. "It wasn't an easy day, the wind was swirling around and gusting so on this golf course, as tight as the targets are, it was tough."
Beginning the day a shot off the lead, Larrazabal converted a tap-in birdie at the second before ending a run of pars with a double-bogey at the seventh after finding water off the par-three tee.
The four-time European Tour winner started his back nine with successive birdies and nailed a putt from nearly 100 feet at the par-four 12th, with an eight-foot gain at the 13th increasing his lead.
Larrazabal then cancelled out a three-putt bogey at the 14th by getting up and down from the sand to birdie the to set the clubhouse target, with Besseling his closest challenger until a final-hole bogey dropped him to six under alongside Grace.
Four birdies in the final six holes helped Antoine Rozner to a round-of-the-day 67 and lifted the Frenchman into the share of seventh, while former Masters champion Charl Schwartzel - making his first appearance since April - sits in the group on two under.
Watch the Alfred Dunhill Championship throughout the weekend live on Sky Sports. Live coverage continues on Saturday from 9am on Sky Sports Golf.
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