Murless two clear in Joburg Open
BY Bruce Young | European PGA Tour | 2008 Joburg Open | Round Two | 12 Jan 2008
First round leader, Mark Murless, remains in the lead at the Joburg Open in Johannesburg after a strong finish to his second round saw him record a round of 68 and edge two shots clear of European Tour School graduate, Pablo Larrazabal.
South African, Murless, who had shared the lead after round one with Tyrone Ferreira, played the more demanding East Course at the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club today and produced a birdie and an eagle at his final two holes to grab the lead. The eagle at the final hole came courtesy of a brilliant 3 wood to 5 feet.
“I haven’t been in contention in this type of tournament before, so the pressure will be on, but I think I’m old enough and wise enough to deal with it,” said 31-year-old Murless after his round.
Murless has been a consistent placegetter on South Africa’s Sunshine Tour including three victories but in this event, which is co-sanctioned with the European Tour, he has a unique opportunity. A win this week would give him European Tour status for the first time but that is still 36 holes away.
In a share of third place are the South Africans, Warren Abery, Charl Coetzee and first round co-leader, Ferreira.
The round of the day on the more difficult East Course came from Darren Clarke, who produced a round of 65 and continued his return to form after finishing third in the recent South African Open.
The cut fell at even par and unfortunately for the four Australasians in the field, their trip across the Indian Ocean was in vain. Steve Alker recorded a second round of 68 but missed by one, Scott Barr by two, Terry Pilkadaris by four and Gareth Paddison by seven.
