Angel Cabrera leads at Sun City after record round

Argentina's Angel Cabrera fired a course-record 64 to take the halfway lead in the Sun City Golf Challenge at nine-under par 135 on Friday.

The big-hitting President's Cup player combined power and finesse to bring the difficult Gary Player Country Club to its knees with nine birdies and only one bogey.

"I'm very surprised because I never thought I would set a course record on my first visit to South Africa," Cabrera said.

The 64 was the lowest score since course alterations before the 2004 event.

Cabrera holds a two-stroke lead over first round pacesetter Briton Darren Clarke who carded a 70 to go with his opening 67. America's Jim Furyk and Briton Luke Donald were a further shot behind.

"I'm hitting my driver well and that helps a lot on this course," Cabrera said. "I also putted very well today but you have to hit solid approach shots to give yourself chances."

It was a remarkable turnaround from a man who was three-over after eight holes during the first round.

Cabrera hit some of the biggest drives ever seen at the course, but it was his putter that did the damage for halves of 33 and a stunning 31.

From the ninth, Cabrera made six birdies in the next seven holes, including four in row around the turn.

On the signature 596-yard par-five ninth, the Argentine needed only a nine-iron for his second shot to reach the intimidating island green.

On a course that measures nearly 8,000 yards, Cabrera never used more than a six iron for any approach shot.

Clarke, who will be paired with the Argentine in Saturday's third round, joked: "I think I'll have to put on a short skirt and play off the ladies' tees tomorrow to keep up with Angel.

"From what I hear he also left a few shots out there today. To shoot 64 is an unbelievable effort."

Ernie Els, in his first tournament in over four months after knee surgery, shot a 70 for 142 to move to two-under.

The South African suffered a triple bogey on the par-four 13th after playing his third shot from behind some trees left-handed. On his follow-through the club-head struck the ball twice and he was penalised a shot.

This years news archive | Email this page to a friend | Return to top of page