Grillo Moves Ahead in Africa Open


Emiliano Grillo became the latest player to go low in the Africa Open. The 21-year-old fired a 9-under 62 at London Golf Club in East London, South Africa.

Through 54 holes, the Argentine stands at 20-under 193 for a two-stroke lead in the European Tour event.

Grillo carded five birdies on the front nine and four more on the back to move ahead of England's Oliver Fisher, who followed up a 63 on Friday with a 66.

"It was a good round of golf," said Grillo. "I played well, but it was the putting that helped the most. I made some good ones on the back nine that kept my round going. I didn't hit it as close as I would have liked for nine under, but I made them from all over.

"I played good for the whole round and I am quite happy with my game, so hopefully I can repeat it tomorrow. When you start making a couple of pars in a row you get impatient, so the key around here is waiting for the birdies.

"It's definitely more difficult than the past two days. The wind picked up and it was a little different direction to what we have seen, but I played good enough to not care about the wind today. Hopefully we will have similar conditions tomorrow."

Grillo then recalled how his mindset changed at the Dubai Desert Classic two weeks ago, when he eagled the 72nd hole to almost catch eventual winner, Stephen Gallacher.

"I thought I had it for a moment in Dubai. Stephen played great on the last few holes, so he got the trophy and I got second place, but it felt like a win for me."

Four strokes behind Grillo are Richard Bland (64), Thomas Aiken (66), and 36-hole leader John Hahn of the U.S. After recording a 61 Friday, Hahn, a 24-year-old graduate of Kent State University, shot 71.

Defending champion Darren Fichardt carded his second straight 67 to end 54 holes at 13-under 200. He stands alongside David Horsey (70), Jens Dantorp (68) and Lucas Bjerregaard (69).

For all the scores, visit http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2014/tournamentid=2014011/leaderboard/index.html.