Rory Mc Ilroy can still catch Francesco Molinari at the top of the Race to Dubai standings
Home favourite Louis Oosthuizen produced a strong back nine to card a five-under-par 67 and trail leader Sergio Garcia by one shot at the halfway stage of the European Tour's Nedbank Golf Challenge at the Gary Player Country Club on Friday.
Mikko Korhonen (70) was third at 6 under, two behind Oosthuizen and three off the lead.
McIlroy has twice won the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai but has not played in this week's Nedbank Golf Challenge since 2009, when he was forced to withdraw after two rounds with a stomach virus.
The 38-year-old, who is going for a second consecutive win, having triumphed at the Andalucia Valderrama Masters last month, said in quotes on the European Tour website yesterday: "It felt great".
A spectacular 18th where the ball circled the hole and rolled back out for a bogey summed up a frustrated round for Garcia. It's not ideal to see three-putts, but some of the pins were nearly impossible to get to and when you leave yourself 20 or 25 feet putting over hills then it is going to happen sometimes. "It doesn't work like that". I think I played very smart.
A group of eight players are at three under-par, including defending champion Branden Grace and 2010 British Open victor Louis Oosthuizen.
More news: Dez Bryant reacts to potential torn AchillesMore news: Donald Trump calls CNN's Jim Acosta 'very unprofessional'
More news: Palm Beach, Broward judges side with Scott
English pair Lee Westwood and Aaron Rai share fourth spot alongside Dylan Frittelli and Shane Lowry, with Thomas Detry in the group a further stroke back after a round-of-the-day 66.
While the two-time Sun City champion put his good fortune down to the vagaries of the wind not punishing him and some "bonus putts", his round on a first visit to Sun City since 2013 was remarkable.
England's Ross Fisher blazed his way eight-under for the round but came unstuck on the par-four 15th where he carded a nine. He was 8 under after 14 holes. First, the Englishman sent his tee shot way left and the ball was trapped under a dead tree, which he would have been allowed to move if he had been able to lift it.
McIlroy missed the fairway off the tee on 17 and then found a bunker.
Fisher then bogeyed his last three holes, dropping eight shots in his last four for a 72 when he was on course to better Garcia's opening-round 64. He was on the green in six and three-putted for a nine on the par 4.
Recommended News
-
10 November 2018
Kevin Harvick fails inspection, loses guaranteed spot in NASCAR Championship 4
As a result, Harvick's victory does not count toward automatic advancement into the Championship Race at Homestead. We will direct our immediate focus to this weekend's event in Phoenix and control our destiny on the racetrack".‘Westworld’ Set Burned Down By California Wildfire - Check Out The Pics!
We don't have details or photos, but it's our understanding that the structures have all burned. Unfortunately, as a result of the Woolsey fire , the set has burned down at Paramount Ranch.
10 November 2018A Guy Wearing Crocs Jumps Into a Crocodile Pit
While officers were driving to the hospital, a second report was received about an incident at the alligator farm. Police said the man was bitten by a crocodile and sustained non-life-threatening injuries to his feet and leg. -
10 November 2018Canada apologizes for turning away Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi Germany in 1939
The question of immigration and refugees today is not likely to be lost in the apology. "Holocaust deniers still exist". They were forced to return to Europe, where over 250 of them died in the Holocaust.
10 November 2018Paul Ince: 'Anthony Martial can be better than Eden Hazard'
And France boss Didier Deschamps agrees with Mourinho that Martial's rough patches have made him a better player. Inter are reportedly in pole position for Manchester United's Anthony Martial , who may not sign a new contract.
10 November 2018Best Chelsea vs Everton goals in Premier League
"But, I don't want him to be anxious about scoring, because for us he's very important, very useful". "I had fever", Sarri said. A little bit more freedom in certain positions in the pitch. -
10 November 2018F1 hints British GP could leave Silverstone
It's a time consuming process to navigate through all of those. "It's a time-consuming process to navigate through all of those, I guess I'd say it's active".10 November 2018US, China can expect frank talks on sea clashes: ambassador
Mattis added his own caution, saying that "competition does not mean hostility, nor does it lead to conflict". The two have sparred, too, over the disputed South China Sea and self-ruled Taiwan, which China claims./s3.amazonaws.com/arc-wordpress-client-uploads/tbt/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/05075407/Snip20181105_11.png)
10 November 2018USA mid-terms 2018: Florida senate race recount triggered
Senate but, instead, may have endured only the second race he ever lost - the other being the 1990 Democratic primary to late Gov. Provisional ballots are given to voters who don't have proper ID or whose names don't show up on the rolls at the precinct. -
10 November 2018United States to end refuelling of Saudi-coalition aircraft in Yemen war
Anti-war groups hailed the decision as a victory and called for the U.S. to go further in halting support for the campaign. In the last month, the UAE has mounted an all-out offensive to capture the critical Yemeni port of Hodeida.
10 November 2018Rauners Get Their Flu Shots; Encourage Others to Do the Same
As well, doctors and health care professionals are able to provide the flu shot for families and babies six months of age and up. How do I know if I have flu? She also passed on the flu to her sister, who has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
10 November 2018Essex County records first influenza case of season
However, the holy grail of flu vaccines would be a "universal" vaccine that recognizes all strains, including newly-arising ones. The development of a universal vaccine is more challenging but it promises much greater results, and deserves more support.
