Brandon Stone set the pace during round two of the Alfred Dunhill Championship on Friday after shooting 66 at Leopard Creek to lead by one stroke.
The 23-year-old enjoyed a watershed 2016 season that included victory at the SA Open and reaching the DP World Tour Championship. He continued to impress on Friday with an eagle at the 18th to lead on 11 under par, one shot ahead of Charl Schwartzel and England’s Chris Hanson.
.@BrandonMStone with an eagle putt on 18 to take the lead….#DunhillChamps https://t.co/fkpO4PAX0a
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) December 2, 2016
The world number 107 made six birdies to go with his eagle three, suffered two bogeys, and looked confident while taking on countrymen who inspired him as a junior.
A brilliant eagle from @BrandonMStone sees him lead after day two!
Watch the highlights below 🎥 #DunhillChamps pic.twitter.com/BHJMFmfKEZ
— Sunshine Tour (@Sunshine_Tour) December 2, 2016
Schwartzel was happy with his game in the search for a record fifth Alfred Dunhill Championship win. He double bogeyed the seventh, but was otherwise flawless in a Friday round of 68.
‘Overall I think I played well. I gave myself a fair amount of chances and made some nice bonus putts. The stroke’s feeling good, which makes me very comfortable,’ he said. ‘The game is not a game of perfection, so I’ve done well with what I’ve had so far.’