Day two digest: Alfred Dunhill Championship  

Everything you need to know from the second day in South Africa.

Larrazábal surges clear, the Big Easy makes the weekend and have we already seen the best putt of the 2020 season on day two at Leopard Creek Country Club?

Here is everything you need to know from Friday in Malelane.

Pablo putts his foot down

If Pablo Larrazábal’s opening 66 was impressive, his second round 69 was arguably better. With baking conditions scorching the course at Leopard Creek County Club, only four other players broke 70 and of those, only French rookie Antoine Rozner went lower with a 67. A three shot advantage means four time European Tour winner Larrazábal might be hard to catch this weekend.

Putt of the season?

The 2020 Race to Dubai campaign might only be two days old, but Larrazábal has already registered a strong contender for putt of the season. A miscued tee-shot made it look more likely that the Spaniard was going to three putt for bogey than birdie the 12th, but a remarkable 100 foot effort gave him an unlikely gain. “It was a great one, I hit a great one just hoping to make a two putt and it dropped,” Larrazábal said afterwards.

No need for a putter

It wasn’t Christiaan Bezuidenhout’s best round by any means, but despite missing the cut his level par 72 featured a remarkable spell on the back nine. The South African holed his approach to the 11th then chipped in at 12 to go two-two. Putting is overrated anyway…

Els sticking around

When Ernie Els, a three-time winner of this event, missed a short putt for par at the last for a 73 and three over total he may have been tempted to go home. The cut line was at one over at the time, but thanks to the tough conditions, the Big Easy finished the day in a share of 61st and will be back for the weekend.

Leopards spotted

Have you noticed the leopard statues on each hole this week? Tony Johnstone explains their significance…