Slattery stays ahead of field

Lee Slattery’s bogey-free round of 65 remained the benchmark as he headed the leaderboard in the Alfred Dunhill Championship at the Leopard Creek Country Club at Malelane.

The Englishman hit seven birdies, including five during his second nine holes, to add to his first round 73 for an overall total of 138 and six under-par.

Fellow countryman John Bickerton was also six under with one hole still to play, along with South African Omar Sandys, who had reached the same total after 11 holes of his round.

Home favourite Ernie Els ended his second round with a three under-par 69 to add to his first day 70 to stay a shot behind the leading trio, along with England’s Richard Bland, Scotland’s Craig Lee and overnight leader Sion Bebb.

Welshman Bebb was still on the course and remained on even par through 12 holes with a bogey on the seventh followed by a birdie on the eighth.

Els said: “I played really well – I really played well with seven birdies. The bogeys that I made were really soft.

“I’m really just disappointed bogeying the last, so not too happy.”

The other big name in the tournament, Darren Clarke, bounced back from his up and down opening round to shoot a solid three under-par 69, to move onto two under for the competition.

Several pre-tournament tips were struggling and faced missing the cut.

Amongst those included 2004 winner Charl Schwartzel, who was on three over after 16 holes, while the other local favourite, Sunshine Tour leader Louis Oosthuizen, was on the same score after rounds of 76 and 71.