Golf: Butterfield inspired in South African Open

Butterfield had an inspired short game and has his living room carpet to thank for his second round 69 that saw him leading a European Tour event for the first time at the Durban Country Club.

‘‘I’m very pleased,’’ said Butterfield.

‘‘It was down to a good short game and putting, I had 27 putts today and only 25 yesterday.

‘‘It’s been frosted over at home and the putting green was diabolical, so I only did a bit of practice on the living room carpet and down the range. The rest was needed after the tour school.’’

At nine under par, Butterfield had a one shot lead over the field, with South African Martin Maritz his nearest challenger on eight under with one hole of his second round to play.

Overnight leader Carl Pettersson had got off to a terrible start, the Swede running up a triple bogey seven on the first hole to drop back to five under par.