Vaughn battles the odds

US veteran Bruce Vaughn took a share of the lead at the SAA Open yesterday despite only recently recovering from the latest in a series of six reconstructive operations on a knee injury.

However, Darren Clarke, hoping to return to the world’s top 10 this year, could only manage a 72 and may struggle to qualify.

Vaughn surprised himself as he prospered in the sweltering conditions on a Royal Durban Country Club course which provided some wind and lots of narrow fairways.