SUN CITY (South Africa), Nov 28: American Kenny Perry birdied the par-four closing hole to snatch a one-stroke lead Friday at the halfway mark of the Sun City challenge, where 18 of the world’s top players are chasing a US$1.2-m prize.

The 43-year-old is on 133, 11-under-par, going into the weekend of this mega event at the Gary Player Country Club.

Fellow US golfer Jerry Kelly, who like Perry is also playing for the first time here, and Spain’s Sergio Garcia, winner here in 2001, are one off the pace on 134 after 67 and 66, the day’s best return, respectively.

Perry, a 17 time winner on the US PGA Tour in 17 years, said: “I guess the key for me has been able to drop the ball on the fairway time and again which is a big advantage here because the rough is terrible and it’ll cost you plenty if you go in there.

“I feel I’m just getting better and more consistent as I get older,” he said.

Garcia, coming off a disappointing year attributed mainly to inconsistency with his swing, had a great day.

Out in 35, he then eagled the par-five 10th - drive, six-iron, 15 foot putt - before finishing strongly with birdies at 15, 16 and 18 where his approach to this tough par-four finished just a couple of feet from the hole for an inward loop of 31 and a fine round of 66.

The 23-year-old, who won here two years ago when he chipped in at the first extra hole of a sudden death playoff with Ernie Els, attributed his form to better swing mechanics after working hard on his technique this year.

“I’m hitting the ball further and straighter these days and, yes, equipment helps, but I do feel the swing is better and I’m growing in confidence,” he said.

South Africa’s Retief Goosen parred the first eight holes in a quiet, steady fashion. But he birdied the ninth and then picked up shots at the 12th, 13th, 14th and 17th to be home in a bogey-free 67 for 137.

This score puts him in contention at seven under alongside Northern Ireland’s Darren Clarke, Fiji’s Vijay Singh and America’s Chris DiMarco with 36 holes to go.

American 47-year-old Fred Funk had two eagles - at the par-5 ninth and at the par-4 17th where he holed his approach from the fairway. But he could still only manage a 71 for 142.

A sharp thunderstorm in the afternoon saw play suspended for two hours until officials felt there was no more danger of lightning and it was safe to resume.

Singh birdied the par-four opening hole to move to minus-eight overall and in sole possession of the lead.

But it was never going to be his day after bogeys at holes four, six and seven and a three-putt par at No 9 saw him limp to the turn in two-over-par 38.

But a solid back nine of 34 saw him round in 72 for a 137 aggregate keeping him still in the running.

Defending champion Els, chasing his fourth win in five years here, also started with a birdie after his disappointing 72 in the opening round.

“Ernie’s Army” — the band of South Africans cheering the native son — exploded in joy as he rolled in his little putt for a three.

But the great comeback they were waiting for never materialised. He hooked his drive into the bush at number two and was obliged to take a penalty drop for an unplayable lie on his way to a bogey-six here.

Then he pushed his tee-shot into the right rough on his way to another dropped shot at the third. It turned out to be a long hard day for him, as he ultimately signed for a 74 and 147.

Els came into this tournament having shot 28 sub-par rounds in succession.

Leading second round scores:

133 Kenny Perry (U.S.) 65 68

134 Sergio Garcia (Spain) 68 66, Jerry Kelly (U.S.) 67 67

137 Chris DiMarco (U.S.) 66 71, Retief Goosen (South Africa) 70 67, Vijay Singh (Fiji) 65 72, Darren Clarke (Britain) 66 71

139 Tim Clark (South Africa) 68 71

140 Adam Scott (Australia) 66 74, Charles Howell III (U.S.) 73 67, Stephen Leaney (Australia) 68 72

142 Stuart Appleby (Australia) 67 75, Fred Funk (U.S.) 71 71, Jay Haas (U.S.) 70 72, Padraig Harrington (Ireland) 72 70

144 Robert Allenby (Australia) 66 78, Nick Price (Zimbabwe) 69 75 147 Ernie Els (South Africa) 72 75—AFP/Reuters