Schwartzel makes his move

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Charl Schwartzel surged into a tie of the lead after two rounds of the Alfred Dunhill Championship on Friday.

Charl Schwartzel surged into a tie of the lead after two rounds of the Alfred Dunhill Championship when he carded an eight-under par round of 64 on Friday.

The South African shares the lead of the co-sanctioned European and Sunshine Tour event with France’s Gregory Bourdy – the pair ending the day on 13-under, four shots clear of Darren Fichardt.

Schwartzel made six birdies and an eagle during his round at the Leopard Creek Country Club to improve on his round of 67 at a course where he has a record of one win and four runner-up finishes.

Behind Fichardt tied for fourth place are South Africa’s Louis de Jager and England’s Steve Webster, who are both on eight-under.

“It was there for the taking and luckily enough I took advantage early on,” Schwartzel commented about the easy scoring conditions.

I could have made a few more, but we can’t get too greedy. All in all a very good round and I’ve put myself in a very good position.”

Schwartzel is arguably the most consistent golfer on the circuit at the moment and are on a massive 73-under par over his last 18 rounds and Bourdy knows that he faces a massive task if he is to beat the local player this weekend.

“Charl is a great player, one of the best in the world,” the 30-year-old Frenchman commented.

“You have to do the job over four rounds and that is difficult. But I’m feeling great and I’ve played two good rounds.”

Webster lost in a play-off at the rain-shortened Nelson Mandela Championship last weekend and the winner in Durban – Scotland’s Scott Jamieson – is also going well again at 6-under.

Another South African, world number five Louis Oosthuizen, ended the round on five under but could have been closer to the top of the leaderboard had he not drove into the lake on the final hole, making a bogey six.

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