South African Open 1999

Sven Struver makes a big move

Germany's Sven Struver picked up four birdies on the back nine to charge into a useful lead on the second day of the Mercedes Benz/Vodacom South African Open at Stellenbosch Golf Club on Friday. Struver was hot around the greens as he sunk a series of tricky putts for saves or to make birdie on a topsy turvy-round of seven birdies and three bogeys. His putter carried him to a second successive 67 to move to eight under, three shots clear of England's John Bickerton who had an eagle and three birdies on a bogey-free card to be five under for the day and the championship.

Defending champion Ernie Els - who shot a one-under par 70 - and England's Nick Faldo who produced a 71 despite complaining about his putting were both seven shots off the lead.

Struver - who has won three times on the European Tour - said: "It's just half-time at the moment and anything can happen really quickly on this golf course. I played all right and had a good putter. "I have been in front before and I know what it feels like, it's a really good feeling."

Tied in third on 138, fours shots off the lead, were England's Mark Roe, Paul McGinley of Ireland, American Scott Dunlap - who shot a course record 65 on the newly configured layout - and local men Clinton Whitelaw and David Frost. South Africa's Dunhill Cup winning captain Frost said: "You try and make two or three birdies and not drop too many shots and you are going to pick up a lot of ground on this course."

With some afternoon cloud cover the conditions did relent to an extent although Roe - who shot a 67 on the day - did have a recipe for preparation: "Take your clubs down to the local health club, put on your waterproofs and sit in the sauna for four and a half hours!" he said.

Bickerton - who finished sixth on the Challenger Tour last year - said he would be playing in the final group for the first time in his career on Saturday. "I finished eighth in the British Masters last year but I've not been in this position before," he said. "I know Sven and I'll just try and enjoy the experience - after that what will be, will be. It's nice to start the year with a good score and I'm striking the ball well."

Five players were tied in eighth position with Hennie Otto of South Africa carrying the home flag among Ignacio Garrido (Spain), Ian Garbutt (England), Mark Mouland (Wales) and Germany's Alex Cejka.

Els had an unspectacular round going out in one under par and coming back in level par after dropping at his last hole. "I don't want to complain about being one-under par as it's not a very easy golf course. You can shoot high numbers if you are not careful," he said. "I had chances on the front nine and didn't take them and then I had a tough stretch where I had to get up and down for pars - I only made one bogey so I'm happy with that."