Malelane, South Africa: South African Brandon Stone eagled the final hole to surge into a one-shot lead on Friday after two rounds of the Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek Country Club.
The 23-year-old with one European Tour win to his credit finished with a three for a round of 66 and a halfway total of 133 over the par-72, 6,663-metre (7,287-yard) layout. Stone is one stroke ahead of defending champion and compatriot Charl Schwartzel, who carded a 68, and Chris Hanson of England, whose 65 was the equal best round of the day.
George Coetzee was the other golfer to shoot a 65 and shares fourth place on 135 with fellow South African Keith Horne, who carded a 66.
Stone turned professional in 2013, is ranked 107 in the world and his only European Tour triumph came last January when he won the South African Open.
His outward nine in the second round included three birdies and a bogey and as he stood on the tee at the final hole he had also managed three birdies and a bogey on the inward journey.
Stone hit a green surrounded by water in two strokes and sank the eagle putt to leapfrog Major winner Schwartzel, who had held the second-round lead for much of the day.
Leading second round scores
133 — Brandon Stone (RSA) 67-66
134 — Chris Hanson (ENG) 69-65, Charl Schwartzel (RSA) 66-68
135 — George Coetzee (RSA) 70-65, Keith Horne (RSA) 69-66
136 — Thomas Aiken (RSA) 69-67, Alexander Bjork (SWE) 67-69, Branden Grace (RSA) 69-67, Benjamin Hebert (FRA) 70-66, Jean Hugo (RSA) 67-69
137 — Christiaan Bezuidenhout (RSA) 70-67, Pablo Larrazabal (ESP) 67-70, Carlos Pigem (ESP) 68-69
