Jaco Van Zyl moved into the lead during the early stages of the third round of the Nedbank Golf Challenge as he continued to take advantage of the opening holes at Gary Player Country Club.
The South African, trying to be the first home challenger to win in Sun City since Trevor Immelman in 2007, came into the day a shot behind Henrik Stenson but a birdie-birdie start moved him to 12 under, one ahead of his playing partner.
After birdieing the second in the first round, Van Zyl began birdie-eagle on Friday and his latest fast start means he has picked up six shots on the first two holes this week.
Robert Streb had a birdie on the second to get to ten under alongside Marc Leishman with Kiradech Aphibarnrat six behind the leader having played five holes.
Aphibarnrat put his approach to the first in close for the second day in a row to record a birdie along with playing partner Leishman who got within two of the lead with his gain.
The pin was once again gettable on the opening hole and Van Zyl took advantage with a tap-in birdie to join Stenson at the top as the Swede needed two putts from distance to make his par.
Stenson's slightly ragged start continued at the next as he played an air shot at the edge of the green but managed to make par while Van Zyl found the heart of the green and two putts gave him a second birdie and the lead.
Streb had left himself some work to do over a bunker with his third but he hit the pin with his pitch and made a birdie to get to ten under.
Leishman joined him with a birdie on the fifth and Aphibarnrat dropped a shot at the same hole to drop to six under.
All three of the final group then parred the third and fourth as the top four pulled away from the rest of the field.
Bernd Wiesberger was alone in sixth at five under having picked up two shots in his first seven holes with Thongchai Jaidee and Chris Wood a further shot back.
