David Horsey came charging out of the blocks as the second round of the Joburg Open began at Royal Johannesburg & Kensington.
The Englishman had completed a two under par 70 on the more difficult East Course on Thursday, and took full advantage of the easier West Course to advance to nine under par in South Africa; players complete a round on each course before those making the cut move to the East lay-out for the weekend.
The two-time European Tour winner had six unanswered birdies over his opening 14 holes, and rolled in a five footer at the 15th for a seventh gain and the outright lead.
South African Brandon Stone was one behind on eight under par, with overnight co-leaders Alastair Forsyth, Craig Lee, Edoardo Molinari and Justin Walters joined by Grégory Bourdy and Roope Kakko on seven under – all four of the overnight leaders were yet to start their rounds.
The 20 year old Stone is one of his country’s brightest prospects, and highlighted that fact with five birdies in an outward 32 on the West Course.
Two-time winners Charl Schwartzel and Richard Sterne were both lurking dangerously on five under par.
Horsey, like the majority of the field, is chasing not only the €206,050 first prize but also one of three Open Championship places on offer for to those not already exempt and finishing in the top ten, and his excellent morning continued with a 30 foot putt at the 16th to reach double figures.
Over on the East Course, Finland’s Kakko had turned in an incredible seven under 30 and, after dropping a shot at the tenth, birdied the 13th and chipped in at the 14th to leapfrog Stone and sit second on nine under.
