Rock leads weather delayed Joburg open
BY Bruce Young | European PGA Tour | 2012 The Joburg Open | Day Two | 14 Jan 2012
The second round of the Joburg Open at the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club has been delayed by afternoon thunderstorms in Johannesburg but of those who have completed their rounds it is the Englishman Robert Rock who has the lead.
Rock added a 67 over the West Course layout to go with his opening 65 on the East Course and at 11 under par he leads by one over South fricans Jbe Kruger and Branden Grace.
Quite a few golfers had yet to even start round two so the event is some way behind schedule. Rock though again began brilliantly as he had on day one with an eagle early in his round on day two and although only treading water in the middle of his round finished strongly with three birdies late in his round to take the lead.
Rock won the Italian Open last season and late in the season finished 8th at the Dubai World Championship, the former teaching professional now established amongst the leading 50 world ranked players in Europe.
Grace, who was playing in the group ahead of Rock, bogeyed his final hole to lose a share of the lead. The 23 year old made a great comeback after a slow start at last week’s Africa Open and after regaining his card at the Tour School late last year this is an encouraging start to his second chance on the European Tour.
Kruger, a fine amateur before turning professional, has played mainly in Asia in recent times although through affiliate membership of the European Tour in 2011 he was able to gain status for this season. He missed the cut last week in East London but has made a great start this week.
Amongst the pre tournament favourites, Retief Goosen is at 7 under through six holes of round two and Charl Schwartzel is at 3 under after a round of 68 today but is currently in 56th position.
Daniel Gaunt leads the two Australians in the field at 5 under through 6 holes of round two while Scott Strange is at 1 over for the tournament through six holes and has a huge task if he is to have any chance of making the cut which appears as if it will fall around the 3 under mark.
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