Low-scoring means young Scots miss out

Play was suspended with just a few players yet to complete their second round at the Joburg Open, but Bradley Neil already knows he has missed the cut.

His two over par round, which left him even for the tournament, was only good enough for a share of 148th place.

Drumoig’s Connor Syme had a better day but he too looks like making an early exit (by one shot) on three under.

It was a good day for him, though, as Syme posted seven birdies in his four under par round.

Tapio Pulkkanen carded a bogey-free 64 to take a one-shot lead into the weekend.

The Finn is playing his first full season on the European Tour after winning the 2017 Challenge Tour but looked very much at home in Johannesburg as he got to 14 under and established a narrow advantage over India’s Shubhankar Sharma.

As well as playing for the trophy this week, there are places on offer at the 2018 Open, with the top three players not already exempt earning a spot at Carnoustie.

Pulkkanen opened with a 65 on the Bushwillow Course and started his round on the Firethorn Course with six birdies before adding two more on the 11th and 12th.

Sharma fired afine 61 on the Bushwillow Course to get to 13 under, a shot ahead of Finland’s Mikko Korhonen and South African Erik van Rooyen.

England’s Daniel Brooks and Steven Brown were in the group at 10 under, a shot ahead of countrymen Charlie Ford and James Morrison.

The field will now all play the Firethorn Course over the weekend.