Blaauw in front at weather-hit Joburg Open thanks to 63

South African golfer Jacques Blaauw carded his lowest round on the European Tour to lead the weather-delayed Joburg Open at Randpark Golf Club yesterday.

Blaauw completed a second round of 63 either side of play being suspended for an hour and 50 minutes due to the threat of lightning to finish 13 under par, a shot ahead of c o m p at r i o t Wilco Nienaber.

Nienaber added a 67 to his opening 63 to occupy second place, two strokes ahead of Canada’s Aaron Cockerill.

The second round resumes early today.

“I’m very happy I was able to finish,” Blaauw, who is chasing a first European Tour title, said after carding an eagle, seven birdies and a solitary bogey.

“I hit it very well all day and then made some putts. I only made one bogey, so I’m very happy. It was very windy out there, but I found it didn’t affect my distances that much.

“I can’t think ahead because there are two more rounds to go. Golf is the job and I need to get that job done. But I’ve done some good work in the build-up to this tournament and I’m very happy wi t h h ow i t ’s turning out.

“I’ve switched to the arm-lock p u tt e r and I’m very happy with it. I’m looking forward to the weekend. It’s a bit different without spectators, but I’m looking forward to it.”

Nienaber held a share of the lead before play was suspended and, while Blaauw was able to pick up a birdie on the 17th on the resumption, the 20-year-old covered his last four holes in level par.

To p Scot is Scott Jamieson who carded a second round 67 to sit eight off the lead. Grant Forrest (67) and Ewen Ferguson (68) are three under.