Saddier fires record 63 to share SA Open lead

JOHANNESBURG: Adrien Saddier of France fired a course record nine-under-par 63 Friday to share the halfway lead in the South African Open near Johannesburg with Chris Paisley of England.

Saddier and Paisley, both ranked just outside the top 250 in the world, are on 131, four strokes ahead of South African Jacques Kruyswijk at Glendower Golf Club.

Among four contenders lying one shot further back were the first round leaders, Branden Grace of South Africa and Chase Koepka of the United States.

Saddier, a 25-year-old whose only professional success came in the second-tier European Challenge circuit two years ago, scored an eagle and seven birdies to roar into contention.

Three strokes off the lead after the first round, he completed the front nine with a birdie-eagle-birdie burst after also birdieing the second.

After another birdie at 13, the Frenchman claimed three in a row from 15 to record the lowest score this week in the first European Tour event of the year.

"The finish was awesome after making three birdies in a row on 15, 16 and 17," said Saddier. "Having the record is quite cool."

"I am excited for the weekend but there is still 36 holes to play and I must try to stay focused during the last two rounds."

Saddier joined Paisley at the top of the leaderboard after the Englishman earlier followed up a first-round 66 with a near flawless 65 in cloudy conditions.

Paisley dropped a shot at 13 after finding water, but more than compensated for that slip with eight birdies, six of them during the second nine.

"I cannot wait for the weekend," said the Englishman. "I have never been in this position before so I am just going to go and do my best.

"At the moment it is weird -- I feel like I did not play amazing golf. I certainly hope that I can keep that trend (of Englishmen winning the SA Open) going."

Compatriot Graeme Storm won the tournament last year after a play-off with superstar Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland, but failed by one shot to make the halfway cut Friday.

In a field containing five former Major winners, Saddier and Paisley will be thrilled to lead the pack in the second oldest national golf championship after the British Open. - AFP