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Pulkkanen takes the lead on day two of SA Open

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Finland’s Tapio Pulkkanen played a flawless round of golf on the difficult Firethorn course in the second round of the South African Open to take the lead by one stroke.

The second oldest open tournament in the world, hosted by the City of Johannesburg, offered by superb conditions on the second day at the Randpark Golf club in Randburg.

Pulkkanen was perfect on the Firethorn course. The Fin not only putted his way into the lead but also made clutch shots to protect his hard-won gains in the second round. A five-under 66 moved him to 11 under par going into the weekend.

South Africa’s top-ranked amateur Jayden Schaper remains in great form, complimenting a brilliant opening round of 6 under 65, to sign for a 4 under par 67 in a round that included 5 birdies on the back nine at the trickier Firethorn course.

Schaper is playing the golf of his life and at 10 under he’s making waves amongst the professionals.

Another South African, Thriston Lawrence, also moved to ten under on Firethorn. The Pro from Nelspruit was perfect with four birdies and an eagle to finish with a 6 under 65.

Jaco Ahlers seemingly emerged from nowhere as yet a further South African to make big gains on Firethorn with a five-under 66 that saw him at ten under, and it could have been better but for a bogey on the 18th.

Sam Horsfield of England put in a solid shift on Firethorn, he didn’t drop a shot in a flawless round of 3 under 68 to move to ten under after the second round. He shot three birdies on his back nine, after a quiet but consistent start.

Trevor Fisher Junior was a late finisher, but he carded a 4 under 67 to make him the fourth South African one shot off the lead at ten under.

Daniel Greene of South Africa was able to make up ground on the Bushwillow course with a five-under round of 66, moving to nine under.

Overnight leader, Johannes Veerman found the going tough on the Firethorn course.

After shooting a 9 under 62 yesterday, the American could only manage a level par round of 71 to stay at 9 under.

Defending champion and player host, Louis Oosthuizen made sure he will be in the mix over the weekend with a 2 under par round of 69 to put him at 8 under, alongside the likes of Branden Grace and George Coetzee.

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