A hole in one at the par three 12th helped Richard Finch claim a share of the lead when the second round of the Joburg Open concluded.
With severe weather delays marring the opening two days, several players had not even teed off in their second rounds when they arrived at the course on Saturday.
England’s Robert Rock had set the clubhouse target at 11 under par after his second round 67 over Royal Johannesburg and Kensington’s West Course on Friday, and he was joined not only by Finch but also South African George Coetzee.
Playing the tougher East Course, Finch had three birdies and a solitary bogey as he turned in 35, before adding two birdies on the back nine and acing the 200 yard 12th with a six iron for a 66.
“It’s actually my second in South Africa,” he said. “I made one at Humewood a few years ago in the South African Open Championship. And then I made one other at the Johnnie Walker at Gleneagles.”
Coetzee had collected three birdies in his first six holes over the East Course before Friday’s suspension, and he gained further strokes at the ninth and 12th.
The 25 year old dropped his first shot of the tournament at the 17th, but birdied the next for a 67.
A trio of home players were one behind, two-time US Open Champion Retief Goosen signing for a 67 over the East layout to join Branden Grace and Jbe Kruger on ten under.
