Golf: Bjorn eyes sixth tour title
Denmark's Thomas Bjorn moved into contention for his sixth European Tour title as Darren Clarke headed for a weekend off in the South African Open at East London.
Bjorn carded a second round 67 for a five under par halfway total of 139, just three shots off the clubhouse lead held by South African Roger Wessels.
But European number two Clarke was on his way to comfortably missing the cut in his first competitive outing of the season at nine over par.
Bjorn was one of 54 players forced to return to the course at 0640 local time this morning to complete his first round after two delays for lightning.
The former Ryder Cup player only had one hole to play before play was halted as darkness fell but made the most of it with a birdie on the 18th to get back to level par.
The 29-year-old had in fact been three over after 12 holes but played the last six in three under to card a 72, and then carried on where he left off.
After a bogey on the ninth, his opening hole, an eagle at the par five 11th was followed by birdies at 12, 13 and 15 before a bogey at the 17th saw him out in 32.
Another dropped shot at the first threatened to stall his momentum but three more birdies followed to complete a fine 67.
That was just three shots off the pace set by Wessels, who had also returned this morning to play the final two holes of his round.
Wessels finished off with a birdie on his penultimate hole to card a 67 and then added a 69 after an hour's break to set the clubhouse target of eight under, a total that looked difficult to beat with the wind beginning to strengthen.
