A bogey at the last saw Paul Waring drop into a share of the lead when he completed his second round at the Joburg Open on Saturday morning.
After fading light caused play to be suspended at Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club on Friday evening, Waring was among the players who had to get up early to resume their second rounds at 7.00am on day three.
The Englishman led by a single stroke after 12 holes of his second round, but he dropped a shot at the 18th on the West Course on Saturday to head into the third round on 11 under par alongside early clubhouse leader Darren Fichardt, who posted a second successive 66 on Friday.
Dean Burmester also dropped a shot on Saturday morning to slip back to ten under. He will begin Saturday's third round in a share of third place alongside fellow South African Jacques Kruyswijk.
Waring made a flying start to his second round on Friday afternoon, making back-to-back gains on the opening two holes to get to nine under, before notching another birdie at the ninth.
The 32 year old began his back nine with another two birdies to reach the summit, and he safely parred the 12th before play was suspended at 18.42 local time.
I’m very happy with the last two days - Paul Waring
When play resumed on Saturday, Waring reeled off five straight pars before carding a bogey at the 18th to sign for a 67.
Waring said: "I’m more than happy. It was obviously frustrating to come back and be one over for the last four holes.
"I hit a good tee shot down 15 and didn’t get up and down from around the green. And then we had to just stand around on 18, which you can’t do. I had to hack it out. I hit a nice pitch in and then didn’t hole the putt.
"But I’ll still take it and I’m very happy with the last two days."
Fichardt also made a strong start to his second round over on the East Course on Friday.
The 41 year old holed his five-foot birdie putt at the first before making consecutive gains at the third and fourth to get to eight under.
He picked up another shot at the sixth before a superb eagle at the eighth saw him establish a two-shot lead.
Fichardt dropped his first shot of the tournament so far at the tenth before safely parring the next seven holes.
But a birdie from close range at the last saw him get to 11 under.
I knew it was going to play long and I needed to get off to a good start and that I did - Darren Fichardt
Fichardt was thrilled with his performance on the front nine.
He said: "I got off to a great start. I knew it was going to play long and I needed to get off to a good start and that I did.
"I got to six under pretty quickly - after eight I was six under so I was very happy about that start.
"Unfortunately I made a bogey on the tenth and then birdied the 18th, so I ended off well. But I am very happy with 66."
Burmester began his second round with a gain at the first and added another birdie at the sixth.
He then reeled off four straight gains from the eighth to join Fichardt on 11 under.
But a bogey at the 17th on Saturday morning saw him fall to ten under.
Defending champion Haydn Porteous was among the group on nine under after matching his first round score of 67 in his second round.
