South African Charl Schwartzel continued his hot form to grab a share of the lead at the halfway mark of the Alfred Dunhill Championship. In his home country, Schwartzel carded an impressive eight-under 64 on Friday to gain the shot he needed to join French overnight leader Gregory Bourdy (65) as the pacesetters on 13-under. The 2011 US Masters champion won the Thailand Golf Championship by a massive 11 shots last week – his first tournament victory in 18 months – and looked to be heading into the clubhouse in second place until an eagle on the last propelled him alongside Bourdy. “All in all a very good round and I&aposve put myself in a very good position to compete. I was playing good golf, hitting good iron shots, hitting it to the rights places and I was converting the putts,” Schwartzel said. “My game seems to improve over the round. Over the last few holes there were signs of better striking. Hopefully if I can take that and continue with it tomorrow then it will get better as the week goes on.” Bourdy, 30, was looking forward to the rest of the tournament and anticipated a tight tussle with Schwartzel as he seeks to lift a fourth European Tour title. “It&aposs going to be an exciting weekend. Charl is a great player, one of the best in the world. In South Africa it&aposs always nice to play with some of the top players in the world on Saturday and Sunday,” he said. “It&aposs tough all week – you have to do the job over four rounds and that is difficult. When you play well you have to see how you are on Sunday. Tomorrow I will try to do the same – shot by shot, play my game. I think the top players will do the same.” Schwartzel&aposs countryman Darren Fichardt enjoyed a consistent four-under 68 at the Leopard Creek course to sit in outright third, four shots off the pace. Louis de Jager and Steve Webster both shot 69s to be tied for fourth on eight-under. Despite each carding two bogeys, Max Kieffer (69) and Robert Rock (68) continued their consistent tournaments to be equal sixth on seven-under, a stroke ahead of a group of seven players including last week&aposs Nelson Mandela Championship winner Scott Jamieson.
Author: Omnisport