Gustafsson shines in South Africa

Peter Gustafsson may be a platinum blond who is more well known for his colourful headgear than his golfing prowess on the European Tour, but the Swede scorched into a one-shot lead in the second round of the Dunhill Championship.

Gustafsson has not led a tournament on the Tour before but made the most of the cool weather in the early start to shoot a workmanlike four-under 68.

That edged him just ahead of Zimabwean overnight leader Bruce McDonald and two shots in front of tournament favourite Ernie Els, both of whom tee off later in the day.

“My putter is working extremely well at the moment, and that is the only reason why I seem to be doing well,” Gustafsson admitted after a round of four birdies but which also included a dropped a shot on the second, which has played relatively easy all week.

While his lead is not likely to hold too long, Gustafsson at least has the honour of being top of a leaderboard on a major tour for the first time.

The Swede, who missed the cut in Hong Kong last week and is on his first visit to South Africa, finally got his Tour card through the qualifying school earlier this year and admits he likes to get through his round on the wild Leopard Creek course in a hurry.

“I’m just scared of snakes and every time I go into the bush it worries me,” Gustafsson said of the area, which has many signposts warning of the reptilian danger afoot.

The other early mover for the day was 20-year old South African Louis Oosthuizen, who fired a 69 to move to three under for the tournament.

Damien McGrane was best of the Irish, at -2 after today's round. He is tied in 19th place. Stephen Browne finished on three over (T69). Peter Lawrie is in 45th place on +1 after 10 holes.