Ford keeps his nose in front

Matt Ford will take a one-shot lead into the weekend at the Africa Open after adding a second-round 66 to his opening 67.
The 36-year-old Englishman took full advantage of the calmer morning conditions to move to 11 under for the tournament, mixing six birdies and an eagle with two bogeys.
Not bad for a player who was almost forced to spend a winter working for Royal Mail before coming through November’s Qualifying School at the tenth attempt.
“I don’t think you can ever get all of it out of the round,” said Ford.
“I missed a short one on 17 and hit a poor tee shot off nine, so those were a couple of mistakes, but you’re always going to make a few of those. I would have taken 11-under at the beginning of the day.”
Eduardo de la Riva is Ford’s closest pursuer, equalling his 66 to lie one shot adrift.
“I played a very good round today with good golf and good putts. I am very happy with the first two rounds,” De la Riva said.
South Africans Jaco van Zyl and Erik van Rooyen and Frenchman Gregory Havret are tied for third place on eight under, three back.
“Yesterday was really tough out there and I was very chuffed to pull two-under out of it,” said Van Zyl.
“I got it a lot easier this morning and when that happens you try to capitalise.”
Overnight co-leader Kevin Phelan fell off the pace with a 72 and now lies six back.
Latest
-
News
Lee Westwood resumes bid for record-equalling 11th Ryder Cup appearance
The 47-year-old occupied one of the automatic places in the team before the golf was stopped due to Covid-19.
-
News
Solheim Cup captain Catriona Matthew turns to Golfer’s CBD in pursuit of further success
Solheim Cup captain Catriona Matthew believes Golfer’s CBD could play a vital role in her future success.
-
News
Sponsor Ralph Lauren drops Justin Thomas following homophobic slur in Hawaii
The world number three uttered the derogatory word towards himself after missing a putt at Kapalua last weekend.
-
News
Bryson DeChambeau keeping brain relaxed to avoid repeat of Masters misery
DeChambeau said his brain went into overdrive at Augusta National.
-
News
European Tour preparing for business as planned in the Middle East
Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship is due to start next week.
-
News
Two-time major champion Angel Cabrera arrested in Brazil
The former US Open and Masters winner was on the run from the law.
-
News
On this Day in 2013: Paul McGinley given Ryder Cup captaincy
McGinley would go on to be involved in a sixth Ryder Cup victory.
-
News
Collin Morikawa keen to draw inspiration from family ties to Hawaii at Sony Open
Venezuela’s Jhonattan Vegas has withdrawn from the event after testing positive for coronavirus.
-
News
R&A: ‘No plans’ for Open to head to Donald Trump-owned Turnberry in near future
Trump National in Bedminster was on Sunday stripped of next year’s US PGA Championship.
-
News
US PGA Championship moved from Donald Trump-owned course in New Jersey
Trump National in Bedminster had been set to host the event.