Pablo Martin did his chances of landing back-to-back European Tour wins no harm at all when the second round of the South African Open Championship got under way at Pearl Valley Golf Estates.
The 23 year old Spaniard was second overnight, one behind Martin Erlandsson. But with the Swede among the later starters, last week’s Alfred Dunhill Championship winner surged into a two shot lead with seven birdies over his first 14 holes.
Among the gained strokes there was also a bogey at the first and a double bogey at the par four 17th, leaving Martin four under for his round and 11 under overall with four holes to play.
Dane Anders Hansen had advanced to second on nine under - he had also suffered a double bogey at the first, but carded five birdies and was three under for the day with four to play.
South Africans have won this event eight years running and home hopes were boosted by Louis Oosthuizen picking up four shots across his first 14 holes to join Erlandsson on eight under.
