Golf:England's John Parry fell short of wresting the clubhouse lead from Brazilian Adilson Da Silva despite shooting a six-under-par 66 on day two of the Africa Open.
Da Silva began the day one shot behind overnight leader Jaco Van Zyl but, resuming on the 10th hole after strong winds on the East London course had forced an early end to yesterday’s play, stormed into a four-shot lead by completing a sparkling 10-under-par 62.
A Sunshine Tour regular, Da Silva then carded birdies on the 10th, 13th and 15th holes on a back nine which also included a bogey on the 11th before pulling two shots back on the return to sign for a four-under-par 68, which saw him finish the day 14 under and three strokes clear of Van Zyl atop the leaderboard.
Da Silva acknowledged he had been helped by the draw, with meant he had avoided the worst of the heavy gusts his rivals had to deal with.
“I got a good break yesterday, it was extremely hard out there for the morning field, and then I got the break and I just started making some putts.
“I somehow just felt the pace, and my caddie and I are reading the greens very well.
“My putting has been letting me down lately, and it just came alive. I must have had 23, 24 putts, which must make it my best round in putting. I was averaging 32 putts a round in Asia last year.”
Van Zyl teed off in the afternoon to reclaim second spot from fellow South African Darren Fichardt when he completed a round of 67, but Parry stayed in touch by picking up five shots on the back nine to finish the day in third place.
The 26-year-old from Harrogate leads Fichardt and his compatriot Oliver Bekker, who both registered 67s, with the latter boosted by two eagles on the front nine.
Portugal’s Ricardo Santos and Frenchman Gregory Bourdy took a share of sixth place with rounds of 66 and 67 respectively, while Ireland’s David Higgins posted a 68 to share eighth spot with Chilean Mark Tullo (69) and South African Tjaart van der Walt (68).
Gareth Maybin missed the cut by a shot after bogeying his last three holes to card a one-under 71 and finish on one over.
The Ulsterman had made three birdies on his back nine - on the first, fourth and sixth – to move to two under, but faltered in sight of the clubhouse as his involvement in the tournament ended.
Damien McGrane also missed out after he could only manage a level-par 72 to leave him on three over.
