David Ravetto battled tough conditions to open a one-stroke lead after 36 holes of the Dimension Data Pro-Am at Fancourt Golf Estate.
As the gusts picked up in George, so did the Frenchman, getting to ten under par after following up his four under opening effort on the Montagu with a six under par 66 on the Outeniqua course.
South African Louis Albertse, who played alongside Ravetto, is in second place on nine under par heading into the weekend after he also posted a six under 66 on the Outeniqua.
Ravetto was pleased with how he was able to adapt his game in the breezy conditions in George and took advantage of the soft greens on day two at Fancourt Golf Estate.
“It was a pretty good day considering the conditions,” he said. “It was raining all day and it was extremely windy. Outeniqua is the easiest of the three courses and I got fortunate with the draw in that respect but I still had to play really solid golf and I made an eagle and six birdies so I am very happy.
“I had to adapt my game in the conditions because water was remaining on the greens. They were a lot softer than the last couple of days but we were able to get a bit more aggressive to the pin which was a positive. I would like to say a big thank you to the greenkeepers because they managed to get the water off as quick as they could and the conditions were pretty good for putting all day.
“I knew the conditions were going to be tough so when I arrived this morning my plan was to just hang in there and make a few birdies. Luckily it worked out and I’m in a good position heading into the weekend.”
The 26-year-old, who retained his DP World Tour playing privileges through Qualifying School at the end of last season, is keen to build momentum this week after an extended break over the winter period.
“I’m going to have fun tomorrow,” he said. “I’m trying to get back in the rhythm before I head to Kenya to play on the DP World Tour next week because I had a long break over the winter. I’m playing off a Qualifying School category so it is important to make it count when I get into the early events on the DP World Tour.”
South African Zander Lombard and Frenchman Pierre Pineau occupy third place on eight under par, while Englishman Sam Hutsby is a shot further back in fifth.
Five players share sixth place including Ireland’s Conor Purcell and Denmark’s Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen on six under.
The third round will get under way at 6:45am local time, with Ravetto teeing it up alongside England’s Gary Boyd at 9:13am.
