Julien Guerrier takes a one-shot lead into the weekend at the Nedbank Golf Challenge after producing a sensational 68 in strong winds on day two.
The Frenchman carded eight birdies and four bogeys to reach five under par, with a hole-out birdie from a bunker at the eighth one of many highlights from a topsy-turvy round.
With Gary Player Country Club showing its teeth on Friday, the leading score after 36 holes was one shot worse than Max Homa’s 18-hole tally of six under.
Defending champion Homa had led for much of the day before back-to-back double bogeys on the 16th and 17th saw his two-shot advantage go up in smoke.
Guerrier’s par save at the 18th left him one shot better off than countryman Romain Langasque and home favourite Ockie Strydom.
“First of all, it’s a privilege to score under par in tough conditions like that,” said Guerrier. “I am very pleased I made a lot of birdies.
“It was difficult to stay patient, you know you are going to make some mistakes, everybody does.
“This is difficult because you can hit some really good shots, like me on 17 but then you go into the water, just the wrong gust at the wrong moment, but that is part of this golf course.”
