Jim Furyk sprinted four strokes clear at the Sun City Challenge on Friday while former European number one Colin Montgomerie had a second round to forget, carding a quintuple-bogey nine in his 77.
World number two Furyk shot a six-under-par 66, picking up three birdies on each nine, to finish 10-under on 134 after lightning held up play for nearly three hours.
While the American was flying high at the top of the leaderboard, Montgomerie was last of the 12 competitors after slumping to an eight-over total of 152.
The 43-year-old Briton recorded his nine at the par-four 11th after three times failing to escape from the tree-lined rough.
Overnight leader Henrik Stenson of Sweden posted a one-under 71 to slip to second position on 138, ugly drives costing him bogeys at the second and 15th.
Ernie Els surged through the field with a 67 for 139.
Seven birdies
The 1999, 2000 and 2002 champion, playing in the event for a record 15th time, bogeyed the two par-fives on the back nine but otherwise struck the ball majestically to notch seven birdies.
”I am swinging nicely and hitting the ball solidly,” Els told reporters. ”But I made more putts today and my new centre-shaft putter is definitely making a difference.”
Fellow South African Charl Schwartzel was tied for third with Els after a 69.
South African pair Retief Goosen and Trevor Immelman were a further shot adrift on 140 alongside Ireland’s Padraig Harrington.
Furyk was error-free before the weather delay but then found a greenside bunker on the par-three 16th.
The title holder saved par in expert fashion, splashing out to within inches of the hole.
Furyk again showed good touch to save par at the last, chipping from off the green to within three feet of the hole.
The tournament is being held at the Gary Player Country Club, 200km north-west of Johannesburg. – Reuters