Rock races into Joburg Open lead

ENGLISHMAN Robert Rock beat the weather to take the lead at the Joburg Open yesterday.

The 34-year-old, chasing a second career win, shot a second-round 67 to hit the front just moments before a thunderstorm forced play to be abandoned for the day.

Rock, who played the West course, is 11 under par after posting an eagle and four birdies yesterday, with his only blemishes being bogeys on the eighth and 12th. He’s a shot clear of home duo Jbe Kruger and Branden Grace, who both went round the West in 66, adding to their first round 67s.

Another South African, Michiel Bothma, is a shot further back on nine under, as is another in George Coetzee. He could prove to be the best-placed, though, with his second round interrupted after just six holes.

Ireland’s Damien McGrane, who shared the first round lead with England’s Jamie Elson, was one over after three, dropping down to seven under, the same score as Scotland’s David Drysdale who was one-under for the day at the turn when the heavens opened.