Saturday 7 March 2015 09:12, UK
Matt Ford posted his lowest round of the year so far to move one shot clear at the second round of the Africa Open.
The 36-year-old carded six birdies as well as an eagle at the par-four 12th, to sign off with a six-under 66 and move one stroke clear of Spain's Eduardo De La Riva.
Ford dropped shots at the ninth and 17th and although the rookie comfortably made the cut for the second week running, he was disappointed not to take a bigger advantage into the weekend.
“I don’t think you can ever get all of it out of the round,” the world No 765 said. "I missed a short one on 17 and hit a poor tee shot off nine, so those were a couple of mistakes, but you’re always going to make a few of those. I would have taken 11-under at the beginning of the day."
Starting at the ninth hole, De La Riva recovered from two bogeys in the first three holes to also post a second round 66, with an excellent chip shot for birdie at the seventh keeping him in contention.
"I played a very good round today with good golf and good putts. I am very happy with the first two rounds," the Spaniard said.
Home advantage has proved key in recent years at East London GC with an all-South African honours board, so local hopes will be pinned on Jaco van Zyl after he picked up four strokes in as many holes to post a back-nine 32 and stay within three of the lead, alongside compatriot Erik Van Rooyen and France's Gregory Bourdy.
Maximilian Kieffer produced the round of the day with a stunning nine-under 63, with the German firing eight birdies and an eagle at the par-five first to move within four strokes of the leaders.
South Korea's Byeong Hun-An also impressed with two eagles and three birdies in a blemish-free 65 to move six-under for the tournament, one clear of joint-overnight leader Kevin Phelan, who was disappointed to follow up a strong opening day with a level par second round 72.
Europe's 2016 Ryder Cup captain Darren Clarke avoided the embarrassment of missing the cut for a second week running after posting a four-under 68, with England's Matt Fitzpatrick dropping to three-under after an erratic second round containing four birdies and as many bogeys.
Last week’s Joburg Open winner Andy Sullivan’s hopes of a third title in South Africa have ended, after the highest ranked played in the field fired a five-over second round 77 to miss the cut for the first time this year.
