Anthony Michael led the Tshwane Open after the second round on Friday, but the South African was facing pressure from compatriot Charl Schwartzel heading into the weekend.
Schwartzel, a 10-time European Tour winner, had opened with a disappointing 71, but then fired a brilliant 64 to catapult himself into contention.
The South African shot an eagle and four birdies on Friday that fired him up the leaderboard and he was to head into round three just two shots behind Michael, who battled his way to a 69 in the morning on another day of tough scoring at Pretoria Country Club.
“I am very, very pleased with the way I hit the golf ball today,” Schwartzel said.
“It was a massive improvement to a few months ago,” he added.
FRUSTRATION
“I hit it beautifully today, had so many chances and the course is playing really difficult. The greens are very difficult to read, and I did not hit a lot of bad putts, but it is frustrating when you miss six-footers and still shoot 64,” he said.
Michael, playing in just his 22nd European Tour event, said he was happy with his round of 69.
“I left a couple out there, but made a few clutch putts, so it was definitely steady putting,” he said.
‘STAY IN THE MOMENT’
“The breeze caught me out a bit and club selection off the tee boxes was what really got me today, so I will just get focused for tomorrow. I will just stay in the moment, stay in the present,” he added.
Joburg Open winner Haydn Porteous was at four-under after a 66, alongside fellow South African Theunis Spangenberg, who signed for a 71, and American Daniel Im, who registered a 68.
Another home favorite, Dylan Frittelli, registered a 69 in the morning to sit a further shot back, one ahead of countryman and overnight leader Justin Harding.
The four-time Sunshine Tour winner had recorded the ninth hole-in-one of the season on the 14th, but also had a double, six bogeys and a birdie to sit alongside fellow South Africans Dean Burmester, Shaun Norris, Richard Sterne and Jaco van Zyl, Swede Steven Jeppesen and Scot Jamie McLeary.
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