Kingston moves two shots clear

Home player James Kingston fired a 67 to take a two shot lead at the South African Open in Durban.

More splendid putting was the key to Kingston's round, with the South African finishing on 11-under par, two clear of two Englishmen, Andrew Butterfield and Jonathan Lomas.

South Africans Martin Maras and Tim Clark are a further shot behind on 8-under par.

Of the bigger names in the field Retief Goosen is well in the hunt after a second round 70 has left him four shots off the lead on 7-under par.

India's Arjun Atwal, South African Ashley Roestoff and the Scot Alastair Forsyth are also on that mark, and will be confident going into the weekend.

The 1999 Open champion Paul Lawrie is one shot further behind on 6-under par.

Former US Open champion Ernie Els, the real heavyweight in the field, is nine off the lead on 2-under par and will need a very good round tomorrow to climb back into contention.

Enjoying the calmer conditions in the morning, Els birdied the 12th - his third hole - eagled the par five 14th, and then birdied the 15th to move to three-under par.

When he birdied the third hole on his back nine he was within four shots of the lead, but he dropped shots at the seventh and ninth to undermine his effort.

Most of the hard work was undone though in the closing three holes, Els dropping shots at the seventh and ninth to drop back to two under par for the tournament.

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