Local professional James Kingston shot a second round 67 to command a two-stroke lead at the halfway stage of the South African Open today.
Kingston’s 11-under tally gives him a two shot advantage over English duo Andrew Butterield and Jonathan Lomas at the Durban Country Club.
"I took quite a break over December didn't expect to come out of the blocks so quickly, but I'm glad I did," said Kingston who coped extremely well in the windy conditions.
"I walked out today and tried to do exactly what I did yesterday and in tougher conditions I thought I did quite nicely. I'm happy with a 67."
Two South Africans, Tim Clark and Martin Maritz, are a shot further back on eight-under. Maritz, 24, made the boldest move of the day carding an eight-under par 64 which included six birdies and an eagle.
U.S. Open champion Retief Goosen (70) remains a threat just four shots off the pace. At seven-under he is joined by compatriot Ashley Roestoff (71), Alastair Forsyth (71) of Scotland and India's Arjun Atwal (67).
Carl Pettersson, the overnight leader, had a disastrous day on the fairways. The Swede failed to regain his composure after a triple bogey seven at the first and slumped to a 77 to finish three-under.
World number five Ernie Els (69) failed to produce the fireworks in front of home crowds but at two-under the big South African could still be dangerous over the weekend.
Defending champion Mark McNulty will also be around for the weekend. The Zimbabwean made it right on the cut mark set at level par after his 71. So too will Belfast amateur Michael Hoey. The British Amateur champion scored well enough with two consecutive level par rounds to make the cut.